By Paul L. Taylor Posted on

Mariners sign Connor Joe and bring back reliever Jhonathan Diaz

Connor Joe has played for a number of MLB teams, while Jhonathan Diaz returns to the Mariners after a brief flirtation with free agency.

With Seattle Mariners players beginning to report to Peoria this week, that feeling of optimism is prevalent among the team and fans alike. After coming closer than ever to a first World Series berth last year the M’s are prime to finally break through in 2026 and if they need a source of inspiration, then look no further than the new Super Bowl champion Seahawks.

There are plenty of new faces attending camp for the Mariners, including the likes of Brendan Donovan, Jose A. Ferrer, Rob Refsnyder and Dane Dunning. They will be joined by another couple of signings reported this week, in Connor Joe and Jhonathan Diaz.

Connor Joe provides depth for Mariners

Joe is someone who entered the Majors with plenty of hope, after being selected in the first round of the 2014 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Things have never quite panned out for him, but if nothing else he’s managed to stick around in the game and has accrued more than 1,000 combined appearances in the majors and minors, with 480 and 573 respectively.

In the majors specifically, last season saw the 33-year-old only make 42 plate appearances during stints in San Diego and Cincinnati, producing a -0.7 bWAR and hitting just .186/.263/.243, However, between 2021 and 2024 in Colorado and Pittsburgh he managed an overall 3.9 bWAR and had a respectable .244/.339/.395 slash line.

Joe mainly plays at first base and the corner outfield positions, and as a right-handed batter has traditionally had more success against southpaw pitchers at the Major League level, with a career .247/.344/.401 slash line. He projects to provide depth behind Refsnyder.

Welcome back to Seattle Jhonathan Diaz

As for Diaz, he was outrighted by the Mariners at the end of January and opted for free agency, but now returns on a minor league deal which includes an invitation to Major League spring training. He’s still trying to prove himself at the top level after just 46.1 combined innings in five seasons, including the past two in Seattle.

The 29-year-old’s stats in the Majors include a career 4.66 ERA, 4.80 FIP and 15.1 percent strikeout rate versus a 12.3 percent walkrate. He figures to mostly pitch in Triple-A Tacoma, where he has a combined 48 starts during his two seasons with the Mariners organization.

A bevvy of additional international signings by the M’s

Back in mid-January the Mariners signed five international players, including three top-50 prospects. On Friday, Senior Director of International Scouting Frankie Thon Jr. announced nine more international signings as follows:

  • Daniel Alana, C, Venezuela (17)
  • Cristian Alvarado, RHP, Mexico (22)
  • German Arvayo, RHP, Mexico (19)
  • Fabian Gonzalez, INF/OF, Venezuela (17)
  • Gabriel Hidalgo, RHP, Venezuela (19)
  • Carlos Martinez, RHP, Venezuela (18)
  • Santiago Pereira, C, Venezuela (17)
  • Edgardo Toro, INF/OF, Venezuela (18)
  • Adan Vallenilla, RHP, Venezuela (20)

Thon was delighted with the additional international signings and discussed them through a news release by the Mariners. He said:

“We’re really happy to be able to compliment our international signings from last month with these nine players from Mexico and Venezuela. This group provides an intriguing blend of young, high-upside position players, along with experienced pitchers who have shown advanced feel for their age. We’re glad to be adding this level of talent to our minor league system.”

Of the nine signings, Vallenilla in particular seems to be someone the Mariners are focused on, The pitcher has advanced control and command, along with really polished mechanics.

The 20-year-old has has a low-90’s velocity with his fastball and is a potential starter with plus overall feel. Thon said:

“Adan Vallenilla is someone we’re pumped about. It’s the athleticism, the way he moves, the ease of operation and how he commands the ball and the feel for his repertoire that excites us. He’s one who should hit the ground running once his minor league career begins.”

The other international signing getting a lot of attention is Alana, who has a strong, thick 5-foot-11 frame with plus bat speed and plus raw strength, with power that plays to all fields. Thon said:

“Daniel Alana has that traditional mix of above-average raw power and arm strength that one tends to look for in a young Latin catcher.”

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rogers Photography

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