Like many new GMs, Jack Zduriencik has brought in several players that he is familiar with from the Milwaukee Brewers organization, including Russell Branyan, Steve Moss, Mel Stocker, Callix Crabbe and Chris Woodward.  He’ll begin diversifying, but expect the trend to continue.

Another former Milwaukee Brewer that Zduriencik could be bringing to the NW is veteran free agent reliever Brian Shouse.

I’ve mentioned Shouse before as someone Seattle could look into, even before Zduriencik was on board.  He’d be a very nice fit as the Mariners’ next LOOGY, filling the void left by the Arthur Rhodes trade.  Seattle doesn’t have many internal options to fill the role, unless you want them to waste Justin Thomas there.

Shouse, a groundball pitcher, absolutely manhandled lefties last season, holding them to a .180/.196/.250 batting line in 104 plate appearances. Ned Yost trotted him out there to face too many righties, a poor move that weakened Shouse’s overall numbers, but Shouse would excel as a full time left-handed specialist.

A 2 year/$3-4M deal for the 40 year old sidearmer sounds like a fair deal to me.  I’d rather do that and rest easy than have to worry about an Eric O’Flaherty-esque implosion from one of the young guys.