The Seattle Mariners have signed Chris Iannetta to a one-year contract with the expectation that he will begin the season as the club's starting catcher.

The deal includes a club option for 2017 that can become a vesting option based on games played.

"I think it was an opportunity to get back and in a situation to play and prove that this past year was just a down year," Iannetta said on a conference call.