Laker poised to become Mariners' hitting coach

SEATTLE -- Tim Laker, the current assistant hitting coach for the D-backs, is in the final stages of being hired as the Mariners' new hitting coach to replace Edgar Martinez, according to a baseball source.
The Mariners have not confirmed the hire, but are expected to announce a new hitting coach and third-base coach at some point this week.
Laker, 48, spent 11 seasons in the Majors as a catcher from 1992-2006 before becoming a Minor League coach for the Indians. He worked for the Mariners as a manager for Double-A West Tennessee in 2010, then spent five seasons in the White Sox organization and one with the Indians before spending the past two years as the D-backs assistant hitting coach.
The California native hit .226 with 28 doubles, 11 home runs and 79 RBIs in 282 games with Montreal (1992-95), Baltimore (1997), Tampa Bay (1998, 2005), Pittsburgh (1998-1999) and Cleveland (2001-06) in his big league career. He played professionally for 19 seasons.
Martinez was the Mariners' hitting coach for the past 3 1/2 seasons, but asked to be shifted to a new job as an organizational hitting advisor in order to cut down on traveling so he could spend more time with his family.
The Mariners are also close to finalizing a deal with veteran Marlins infield coach Perry Hill, who has agreed to terms on a contract but not been formally named to the staff. He's expected to replace third-base coach Scott Brosius, who was asked to return to the staff, but instead is pursuing other opportunities.
The Mariners previously announced the hiring of former Cardinals Minor League pitching coordinator Paul Davis to be their new pitching coach. He's replacing Mel Stottleymyre Jr., whose contract was not renewed at the end of the season.
Bench coach Manny Acta, first-base coach Chris Prieto, assistant coach Jim Brower and bullpen coach Brian DeLunas are expected to return, though it's not known yet if they'll remain in their same positions.