Mariners Sign Sorrento For $1.1 Million

Paul Sorrento, who played against Seattle in the American League playoffs last fall when he was with the Cleveland Indians, agreed Wednesday to a $1.1 million, one-year contract with the Mariners.

Sorrento became a free agent on Dec. 21 when the Indians failed to offer him a 1996 contract after declining to exercise a $1.5 million option.

The first baseman, who had a $1,075,000 salary in the final season of a $2.1 million, three-year contract, gets $1 million in 1996. The Mariners have a $1.5 million option for 1997 and must pay a $100,000 buyout if they don’t exercise it.

Seattle traded first baseman Tino Martinez to the New York Yankees after the season and has been searching for a replacement. Manager Lou Piniella plans to bat Sorrento sixth, behind A.L. batting champion Edgar Martinez.

“Once we made the Tino deal, our No. 1 priority has been to acquire a left-handed-hitting first baseman with power,” Mariners general manager Woody Woodward said. “Paul Sorrento has been at the top of our list, and we are very happy to have him join our ballclub.”

Sorrento, 30, hit 25 homers in 104 games last season, drove in 79 runs and hit .235.