Mariners add to middle infield depth, ink Gordon Beckham to minors deal

A day after reuniting with righty reliever Mark Lowe, Jerry Dipoto went dumpster diving again today, this time emerging at the surface with journeyman infielder Gordon Beckam.

Beckham—who was drafted as the 8th overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft out of the University of Georgia—will join a seemingly crowded middle infield in Tacoma, accompanied by the likes of Mike Freeman, Tyler Smith, and Zach Shank. The addition of Beckham would seem to force fan favorite Shawn O’Malley out of a job upon returning from his injury, although the club could bide their time with him by opening the season with him on the 10-day disabled list.

Beckham posted a 2.3 fWAR debut season in 2009 along with a .270/.347/.460 slash line and 14 home runs over the course of 103 games, good enough to finish fifth that season in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. Beckham failed to ever exceed 1.0 fWAR through his next seven seasons.

Beckham, 30, had his most recent extended gig as a utility infielder for the Atlanta Braves in 2016, primarily serving the team as a second baseman. He posted a .217/.300/.354 slash line in 85 games for Atlanta. It would come as a bit of a surprise if he sees any at bats as a Mariner this season. Overall, this move seems to have most M’s fans and writers scratching their heads a bit, although I have a theory:

But really, I will always remember Beckham best as the 2009 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects baseball card cover boy: