The Mariners have acquired 28-year old lefty swinging catcher John Jaso from the Rays for 26-year old righty reliever Josh Lueke and either a player to be named later or cash. Jaso played in 89 games for the Rays last year and he was 55 for 246 (.224 avg, .651 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 5 homers, 27 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 203 games in his first 3 years in the majors and he is 146 of 595 (.245 avg, .705 OPS) with 85 runs scored, 10 homers, 71 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Jaso will give the Mariners a solid backup to Miguel Olivo, so I like this deal for them. Josh Lueke pitched in 25 games (0 starts) for the Mariners last year and he was 1-1 with a 6.06 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. The Mariners don’t like the baggage that Lueke brings, which was likely a driving force behind this deal.

The Mariners have re-signed 30-year old righty starter/reliever Jarrett Grube to a minor league deal. Grube pitched in 28 games (21 starts) in AA+AAA-ball for the Mariners last year and he was 9-6 with 1 save, a 3.88 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He has now pitched in 279 games (78 starts) in his first 8 years in the minors and he is 45-34 with 1 save, a 3.96 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Grube will be a longshot to make the Mariners’ out of spring training, but don’t be surprised if he makes his major league debut at some point in 2012.

The Mariners have signed 30-year old lefty reliever Sean Henn to a minor league deal. Henn pitched in 43 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Blue Jays last year and he was 3-2 with 3 saves, a 2.79 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 with the Orioles and Twins. Henn has pitched in 60 games (5 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 2-9 with a 7.56 ERA and a 2.01 WHIP. I have a hard time believing that Henn was worth signing.

The Mariners have signed 25-year old righty reliever/starter Steve Garrison to a minor league deal. Garrison only pitched in 1 game last year, out of the bullpen and it was his major league debut. He got out both of the batters he faced in his debut while pitching for the Yankees. He also pitched in 18 games (17 starts) in A+AA-ball last year and he was 4-8 with a 5.58 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. Garrison will get a shot to win a job in the Mariners’ bullpen next spring.

24-year old righty swinging outfielder Greg Halman was killed today in the Netherlands. His younger 22-year old brother has been arrested for his murder. Halman played in 35 games for the Mariners last year and he was 20 for 87 (.230 avg, .600 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 2 homers, 6 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. His career ended after two years with the Mariners in which he played in 44 games and he was 24 for 116 (.207 avg, .535 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 2 homers, 9 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. This is a tragic end to a young man with a lot of potential as a ballplayer. Thoughts and prayers go out to Halman and his family and loved ones.