Mariners agree to 1-year deal with Iannetta

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto is bringing a familiar face to the Pacific Northwest.

Catcher Chris Iannetta agreed to a one-year deal with the Mariners on Monday with an option for 2017, reuniting the pair who spent 2012-15 with the Los Angeles Angels. The deal's worth a reported $4.25 million plus incentives, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

"Chris is being brought in to be our primary catcher," Dipoto told reporters. "We'll see where the chips falls once we get into spring and beyond. He's an experienced player who I feel makes us better."

Iannetta is coming off a career-worst season in which he hit .188/.293/.335 with 10 home runs and 83 strikeouts in 92 games. Dipoto stressed that incumbent Mike Zunino - who also struggled at the plate last season - can get additional playing time, provided he earns it.

"Mike comes in with an opportunity to win playing time," Dipoto said. "A primary catcher is different from what I would consider an everyday player. There is no catcher who is going to go out and catch 162 games.

"Whether it be a time-share or a backup catcher, Mike is going to be in position to win some of that playing time. He's still a young guy, and we need to get him back on track."

With a decade of experience in the bigs, Iannetta owns a career .231/.351/.405 line to go with 100 home runs over 852 games.

He and the Mariners were said to be closing in on a deal two weeks ago, but it was delayed due to Iannetta's reported interest in re-signing with the Angels.