Inspired by the signing of Oliver Perez but regretted just a few minutes into the writing process.  I wonder if the Mariners feel the same way about Oli.

NRI = non-roster invitee.

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Matt Fox, Jarrett Grube and Jeff Marquez, RHSPs – Marquez is probably a little better than the other two, but these guys are basically dime a dozen right-handed starters who do what they can to put the ball in the strikezone while hoping the defense holds up their end of the bargain.  A long relief/swingman role might be the best case scenario for the trio, though middle relief and, with a ton of luck, the No. 5 spot in the rotation could be within the realm of possibility.  These types of pitchers are plenty useful when things are going well for them.   Think David Pauley, Chris Jakubauskas, etc.

Steve Garrison, LHSP –  Garrison, a former top 10 prospect in the San Diego Padres organization, throws strikes and mixes his pitches but lacks the stuff to neutralize advanced hitters on a regular basis.  He’s had trouble getting AA and AAA hitters out over the past two seasons and probably doesn’t have much hope for making the big league team.  Garrison figures to be in the emergency starter mix with Tacoma.  A new Chris Seddon, let’s say.

Oliver Perez, LHSP – Perez you know from one good season with the Pirates, one OK season with the Mets, one Sandy Koufax comparison from Scott Boras, one incredibly ill-fated $36 million contract from the Mets, and countless meltdowns.  I’ve got to think the Mariners will try him primarily as a reliever. (Edit: confirmed.)  Maybe they’ll catch lightning in a bottle and wind up with a shutdown second lefty to join George Sherrill, but I don’t really like his chances much more than the other lefties competing for a ‘pen job.  As a starter… blech.  Let’s cross that bridge if we come to it.

Josh Kinney and Scott Patterson, RHRPs - A pair of 32 year old journeyman relievers who got their starts in independent ball and have had long track records of minor league success out of the bullpen.  Both have high strikeout rates and reasonable walk rates, but neither have gotten much of a shot in The Show.  Kinney had some success in his 17.2 big league innings with the White Sox last season, striking out 20 against 7 walks, although he got knocked around a bit after throwing 3 shutout innings and 6 strikeouts in his debut.  The duo will compete for middle relief jobs but, lacking great stuff, will most likely get most of their work with Tacoma. 

Philippe Valiquette and Sean Henn, LHRPs – Both guys throw in the upper 90s, have little to compliment their heaters, and have no idea where the ball is going.  And you gotta love it!  Sherrill’s signing probably killed any chance they had of making the squad, but if one of them can find a way to throw strikes more consistently they’ll join a short list of flame-throwing lefties in the bigs, something any team would love to have.

Aaron Heilman, RHP – Ronny Cedeno and Garret Olson didn’t work out as planned, so the Mariners will take another shot on Heilman.  After being a so-so reliever for the Cubs and Diamondbacks between 2009 and 2010, Heilman lost fastball velocity and control in 2011, leading to his mid-season release, a minor league signing, another release, and then another minor league signing.  It could be the end of the road for the 33 year old.  That said, he still missed a lot of bats last season, and it’s easy enough to imagine him winning a middle relief role over someone with options like, say, Steve Delabar.  Maybe that’s the expectation.