Mariners Close to Signing Mike Zunino

The Seattle Mariners are close to completing a deal with first round draft pick Mike Zunino, reports Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times. The only thing holding up the deal at this point is Zunino having enough free time in his schedule to complete a physical and sign the appropriate paperwork.

Zunino, the 3rd overall pick in the draft, was not eligible to sign until the Florida Gators were eliminated from the College World Series last week. The 6' 2" 220-pound catcher hit .322/.394/.669 with 19 home runs for the Gators this year and is a finalist for both the Johnny Bench and Golden Spikes Awards. Zunino may have to wait until early July to finalize his deal because of the aforementioned awards ceremonies.

The allotted slot value for the No. 3 pick is $5.2 million, but Zunino may have trouble bargaining for the full amount with Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton, the draft's first two picks, agreeing to deals at under slot value.