MARINERS: Daily news

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The Mariners added depth to their bullpen today when they signed former San Fransisco reliever Tyler Walker to a one-year deal. Walker returned from elbow surgery in 2006, keeping him out of baseball for more than a year, to pitch in 65 games for 4.56 ERA.

It remains to be seen whether Walker, who has 34 career saves, will be the closer this season like the article speculates, but the move certainly seems to point toward pitcher Brandon Morrow being a starter. The decision will probably rely on whether or not the team believes Morrow has a future as a starter.

While the team added to their bullpen, the main concern of a power hitting outfielder remains unfilled. With price a major sticking point for GM Jack Zduriencik, the team continues to wait things out and hope a power hitter such as Adam Dunn lowers his price.

"You don't always get the player you most want, but someone might fall to you that you didn't think you could get," Zduriencik said.

If such a player doesn't become available, the team may be forced to look to its current roster and hope young players step up and rapidly develop. Wladimir Balentien is one such player. In his first extensive playtime in the majors, last season Balentien hit .202 for seven home runs and 24 RBIs.

Zduriencik said he's intrigued by Balentien's potential, despite the 23-year-old's poor debut.Like many others on the team, Balentien must decide whether to represent his country, the Netherlands, in the World Baseball Classic. Manager Don Wakamatsu has said he wants players to skip the WBC and report to spring training on time, but it's doubtful any skip the event.

Another player likely to spend his spring at the WBC is Adrian Beltre, who is still recovering from season-ending surgeries. Beltre hopes to be ready for the WBC and fully recovered by the start of the MLB season.

Beltre is finding himself one of the last veterans left on the team, and he find himself auditioning for a future employer this season. Zduriencik seems to know the team won't compete this year, and he won't break the bank for any free agent names (like Dunn or Manny Ramirez). In the final year of Beltre's contract, Zduriencik will likely look to deal Beltre before the trade deadline to a contending team in order to get something for him.