Kelly Shoppach has signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners.  Shoppach has stopped off in four Major League cities in his eight-year career, and Seattle will make his fifth.  But the Mariners think he can help soften the blow of losing John Jaso.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Mariners reached the agreement yesterday.

Kelly shoppach to #mariners
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) January 29, 2013

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reported on the contract details.

Kelly Shoppach gets base salary of $1.5M from #mariners with a chance to make an additional $500,000 in incentives.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) January 30, 2013

With Shoppach playing for Eric Wedge in Seattle he will reunite with his former Cleveland Indians manager.  Shoppach and Wedge spent time in Cleveland while Shoppach was there from 2007 through 2009.  The two reportedly have a good relationship and Wedge influenced Shoppach's decision to sign with the Mariners.

Shoppach has had his share of injuries throughout his career, but he has been less of an everyday player and more of a role player with the teams he's been on.  Therefore, he's been less susceptible to the everyday rigors of playing the game.  Last year, he played in 78 games between his time with the Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets.  In 2011, he played in 87 games.  Only once in his career has Shoppach played in more than 100 games.  He may be asked to do that in Seattle, though.

Shoppach has hit .226/.314/.418 in his career.  He is an above-average defensive catcher and can handle a pitching staff well.  The Mariners hope he can make up for his light hitting with his leadership.
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