Hold the phone: The M’s sign Wilkerson to be their fourth outfielder/starting right fielder(?)

Just when it became pretty clear that their back-up options on the free-agent market for a starting right fielder in case the Adam Jones-Erik Bedard did, indeed, go down, the Mariners have announced they have signed former Texas Ranger outfielder/ big-time whiffer Brad Wilkerson to a one-year, $3 million contract.

Wilkerson’s contract also includes $2 million in performance bonuses depending on plate appearances, which raises the question as to whether the M’s are planning to use Wilkerson as a utility player/ fourth outfielder type player, or if they have signed him for the sole purpose of easing the impact wrought by dealing Jones. Regardless of how much playing time he receives, here’s hoping that Wilkerson’s 2008 season is reminiscent to Jose Guillen’s 2007 season. Minus any steroid connections, of course.