Major League Baseball

Source: M's, Shoppach agree to deal

Published Jan. 29, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

Ken Rosenthal

The Seattle Mariners, finding a catcher to pair with Jesus Montero, are in agreement with free agent Kelly Shoppach on a one-year deal, according to a major-league source.

The deal, first reported by CBSSports.com, will become official once Shoppach passes a physical. Shoppach will earn $1.5 million with a chance to make an additional $500,000 in incentives, according to ESPN.com.

Shoppach, 32, played for Mariners manager Eric Wedge with the Cleveland Indians from 2006 to '09, hitting a career-high 21 homers in '08, a season in which the team's regular catcher, Victor Martinez, was mostly injured.

The Mariners, who recently traded catcher John Jaso to the Oakland Athletics, also have signed Ronny Paulino to a minor-league contract.

Shoppach spent last season with the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, batting a combined .233 with a .733 OPS.