Mariners notebook: Furbush and Scribner reach deals, avoid arbitration
SEATTLE — The Mariners avoided the possibility of any potentially messy arbitration hearings Friday by reaching one-year agreements with relief pitchers Charlie Furbush and Evan Scribner.
Furbush will make $1.6 million, which represents a raise of $300,000 from his 2015 salary of $1.3 million. Scribner jumped to $807,500 from $512,500 in his first season of eligibility.
The two deals also came one day after the Mariners reached agreement with center fielder Leonys Martin, their only other arbitration-eligible player, on a one-year contract for $4.15 million.
Furbush, 29, and Scribner, 30, reached agreements just prior to the 10 a.m. deadline for the two sides to submit figures for salary arbitration.
Had either player not reached an agreement, a three-judge panel would have held hearings next month in Phoenix and rendered a decision.
Furbush had a 2.08 ERA last season in 33 games before suffering a season-ending biceps and rotator-cuff injury just prior to the All-Star break. He is expected to be fully recovered by spring training.
The Mariners acquired Scribner from Oakland in a Dec. 8 trade for minor-league pitcher Trey Cochran-Gill. Scribner was 2-2 with a 4.35 ERA last season in 54 games.
A year ago, the Mariners prevailed in an arbitration ruling over reliever Tom Wilhelmsen. The panel chose the club’s $1.4 million offer over Wilhelmsen’s $2.2 million request.
Wilhelmsen’s case marked the first time since pitcher Freddy Garcia won a 2003 hearing that a Mariners’ salary was determined through arbitration.
FANFEST ROSTER
Three of the Mariners’ key off-season acquisitions — Steve Cishek, Chris Iannetta and Leonys Martin — are listed among the tentative participants for the 18th annual FanFest on Jan. 30-31 at Safeco Field.
The Mariners signed Cishek and Iannetta in the free-agent market to be their closer and starting catcher. They acquired Martin from Texas in a Nov. 16 trade to be their center fielder.
Others scheduled to appear include third baseman Kyle Seager and pitchers Taijuan Walker, James Paxton and Charlie Furbush.
Fans will also get a chance to meet new general manager Jerry Dipoto and new manager Scott Servais in addition to some of the organization’s top prospects: Drew Jackson, Tyler O’Neill, Braden Bishop and Boog Powell.
FanFest runs each day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $10, while those aged 14 and younger get in free. Tickets can be obtained in advance at www.Mariners.com/FanFest and at Mariners Team Stores.
Parking for the event at the Safeco Field garage is $5 if purchased in advance and $10 at drive-up.
Bob Dutton: @TNT_Mariners
This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 10:53 AM with the headline "Mariners notebook: Furbush and Scribner reach deals, avoid arbitration."