Score one for the Mariners’ frenetic offseason activity.
Signing right-hander Christian Bergman in December to a minor-league deal was precisely the sort of under-the-radar move that Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto has made the cornerstone of his organizational depth-replenishment plan.
On the surface, there wasn’t much to recommend Bergman, who spent the previous three years bouncing between Colorado and the minors while compiling a 5.79 ERA in 55 career big-league games.
The Mariners saw Bergman as a low-risk signing. He had major-league experience, could be stashed at Triple-A Tacoma and, in a pinch, might be able to help the big-league club.