Mariners claim RHP Taylor Williams from Brewers, designate RHP Phillips Valdez for assignment

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty ImagesSeveral clubs are already playing exhibition games as the unofficial start to their Spring Trainings, but that does not stop the restless churn of Jerry Dipoto as they seek to pluck a bit of gold from the dross of the waiver wire. The most recent acquisition: 28-year-old short king (5’11”) reliever Taylor Williams, recently DFA’d by the Brewers to make room for newly-signed Brock Holt [pause to allow anguished howl of Red Sox fans everywhere to echo across the lands]. A Vancouver, WA native, Williams will compete for a bullpen role with his hometown Mariners.

Although Williams is just a few months shy of his 29th birthday, there’s not a ton of mileage on his…