League, M's hammer out deal: The Mariners avoided arbitration with RP Brandon League, agreeing to a $5 million contract for 2012, according to CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman. (Updated 01/17/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
League stepped into the closer's role in 2011 after David Aardsma battled injury. League closed out 37 of 42 games, proving he could handle the closer's role. Seattle has held onto League, meaning he heads into spring training as the Mariners' closer. Consider him a viable No. 2 Fantasy RP on Draft Day. (Updated 01/17/2012).
01/27/2012 03:08 2012 Fantasy outlooks: Seattle Mariners
The Mariners are obviously in a rebuilding phase, but have they done enough to improve the worst offense in baseball? Al Melchior takes a closer look at Seattle in a Fantasy team outlook.
Brandon League had a breakout campaign for the Mariners in 2011. Taking over as closer for David Aaardsma, who missed the entire season due to injury, he converted each of his first nine saves before blowing three straight. He would rebound to go 23 for 27 in save chances in the first half and earned his first career trip to the All-Star game. The right-hander finished the year 37 for 42 in save opportunities with a 2.79 ERA and will remain the ninth-inning man in Seattle entering 2012. While the Mariners are not expected to win a ton of games, they should be in a lot of close contests, giving League ample opportunities for saves. Target League in the later rounds of mixed leagues on Draft Day as he does not post as many strikeouts as an elite Fantasy closer would. (Updated 1/3/12)