At Bat Today: Seattle Mariners News for February 4, 2013

September 30, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher

(14) tags out Seattle Mariners first baseman

(17) at the plate during the second inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

With just a little over two weeks left before Spring Training’s official start (there are some optional start dates for pitchers, catchers, and injured players) for players not in the Baseball World Classic a week away, most of what the Seattle Mariners management is up to is making sure they get everyone signed and official before the March 11th deadline. Around the Major Leagues, its looking like the PED controversy has cropped up in a big way again starting with a former Mariner turned New York Yankees player.

• Mariners have signed 10 players to contracts, bringing the total number of signed players on the 40-man roster to 24. The ten players signed are: Justin Smoak, Lucas Luetge, Chance Ruffin, Blake Beavan, Casper Wells, Eric Thames, Carlos Peguero, Julio Morban, Kyle Seager, and Francisco Martinez.
• Alex Rodriguez, or A-Rod if you prefer, the New York Yankees’ most controversial player of the moment has started up another controversy. According to the Miami Times, A-Rod allegedly purchased Human Growth Hormone from Florida wellness consultant Tony Bosch. We’ll have to keep our eyes out for what transpires in this latest blow-up of PED use.
• Kevin Millwood, pitcher for the Mariners last season, has called it quits after 16 seasons in the Major Leagues. This two-game no hitter pitcher will be going out on  high note after neither the Atlanta Braves nor the Tampa Bay Rays expressed interest in picking him up this year. He will be heading home to Gainsville, GA.
• The Mariners avoided arbitration talks with reliever Shawn Kelley and signed a $935,500 contract with the pitcher.
• The Mariners went ahead and officially signed Kelly Shoppach.
• In big AL West news, the Oakland Athletics acquired Jed Lowrie and Fernando Rodriguez in a five-man deal with the Houston Astros. They sent the Astros Chris Carter, Brad Peacock, and Max Stassi in exchange.

What do you think about the news over the weekend?