Eli Marrero

Marc W mentioned this first in the USSM Comments, and after thinking about it, this seems like a great choice as an NRI or even a cheap 1 year deal. Marrero said he would be willing to catch some when BAL picked him up last year, although he never appeared behind the plate. If his defense is even serviceable back there, he would make an awesome vs LHP half of a platoon behind the plate, and on other days, he'd be the super duper versatile Lefty Masher a la Greg Colbrunn (plus versatility) who can come in vs some other teams LOOGY and strike fear into the hearts of opposing hitters, while also being able to play the outfield and 1st base. If Marrero is willing to catch, and if his defense is half-OK back there, and I have no reason to believe that it isn't, except for his reluctance the last couple of years to catch, I think Seattle would be a great place for him to get his career as a useful bench player back on track. The team would have better bench use, as they probably wouldn't have to carry a "true" backup catcher, if they had Marrero, which would be really cool, essentially opening another bench spot. I'm a big fan of the Eli Marrero/Robert Fick type catcher who can do more than just catch. Andy Dominique could be another bargain option for an NRI bench bat/offensive minded backup C.