At Bat Today: Seattle Mariners News for January 6, 2013

Sept. 30, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks base runner

(10) slides into home in the first in the first inning against Chicago Cubs at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-USA TODAY Sports

Not a lot has happened in Mariners-land, but around the Major League, there have been a few power plays. The Cubs signed a new player, as did the Dodgers. Three teams are rumored to be vying for Justin Upton.

• Justin Upton is rumored to have garnered the interest of the Mariners; rumors also point to the Braves and the Rangers. Since the Mariners have been on Upton’s no-trade list, it will be interesting to see what happens with this player.
• The Chicago Cubs signed player Dontrelle Willis. This former Detroit Tiger and 2003 Rookie of the Year will be playing on their minor league team.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers signed J.P. Howell; he’s a lefty pitcher signed to a one-year deal for $2.85 million plus incentives. He was a reliever with the Rays.
• Mariners rumors are flying around for possible deals for Kyle Lohse and Joe Saunders; the rumor mill does not paint a good picture for the likelihood of the Seattle team picking one of these two guys up.
• Reportedly, the Texas Rangers have reached a one-year, $10 millon verbal agreement with Lance Berkman, a former Houston Astros switch hitter. The deal is contingent upon him passing a physical.
• Mariners spring training tickets are now on sale.
• Mariners pitcher Blake Beavan  is shaping up to look like a pitcher to remember. He started 26 games last year and won 11 of them. The question is whether he’ll have the confidence to pull off some wins this year.
• Right-handed pitcher D.J. Mitchell has been outrighted to the Mariners’ Triple A Tacoma team. He was in four games with the Yankees last season, and he 6-4 in 15 games starting for the Yankees Tripple-A Club.

That about covers it. What do you think? Do the Mariners have a viable option now that so many big names are being grabbed up?