Guti Is Back

[NWinAZ]

Mariners Close To Re-Signing Franklin Gutierrez

By Zach Links [December 17, 2013 at 9:50pm CST]
The Mariners are close to re-signing Franklin Gutierrez to a one-year deal, sources tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports 1 (on [ame="[MEDIA=twitter]413153411689742336[/MEDIA]"]Twitter[/ame]). The Mariners need a right-handed outfield bat and have been encouraged by recent reports on Gutierrez's health, motivating them to facilitate a return, Morosi [ame="[MEDIA=twitter]413153695631552512[/MEDIA]"]tweets[/ame].
Gutierrez, 31 in February, has a .256/.306/.391 career batting line but has a strong defensive reputation and a career .818 OPS against lefties. He became a free agent on November 1st when the Mariners turned down his $7.5MM club option and gave him his $500K buyout instead.
The veteran inked a four-year, $20.5MM extension with the Mariners after an outstanding 2009 season in which he batted .283/.339/.425 with 18 homers, 16 stolen bases and turned in the best center field defense in the game, all totaling a stellar 6.0 WAR. Unfortunately for both parties, several DL stints over the life of that contract kept him from living up to that deal. Gutierrez has battled hamstring, pectoral, and oblique issues and also dealt with a serious concussion.
Gutierrez is represented by Octagon, as shown in the MLBTR Agency Database. Over the course of the offseason, the Phillies, Red Sox, and Giants were all reported to have interest in the outfielder.

 

[Destroydacre]

Not sold on his health, but I do like this signing. He is a decent bat (by Mariners standards anyway) when you can actually get it in the lineup. And of course good on defense.

 

[cezero]

As I said in the other thread:

Should be a VERY low up front amount with lots of performance incentives.

I'm betting he injures his wrist the moment he swings at a MLB fastball again, but maybe he'll find some Venezuelan "supplements" that MLB chemists can't yet detect to bolster his glass frame.

We can always hope!

 

[Thisnamewasntaken]

This move can't hurt us. Expect the worst and hope for the best. It's better than signing Nelson Cruz.

 

[unlvmariners]

This move can't hurt us. Expect the worst and hope for the best. It's better than signing Nelson Cruz.

Exactly! Expect the worst (he doesn't play a game because of injury). The best (we have a decent hitting great defensive CFer).

 

[SeattleCoug]

I gonna go ahead and assume ist one year deal that is largely incentive based. Yes he likely wont be healthy all year but I assume he's not expected to start all year in center. Probably platoons with Ackley/Saunders.

We need outfield defense, a right handed bat, team speed and a potential hitter. Guti fits all of these when he's healthy. I know key word is WHEN. But his potential coupled with a low risk deal makes this a win win in my book.

 

[seattlefan75]

Well it looks like the Angels picked up Raul Ibanez, kinda upsets me because of all the stuff he has done for us that he would put on an angels uniform im assuming the angels were the only team that offered him a contract and he just jumped on it. Guess the mariners either have another big signing in the OF waiting to happen or just giving more ABs to Abraham Almonte

Angels agree to one-year contract with Raul Ibanez - CBSSports.com

 

[gowazzu02]

Guti, single handedly keeping the medical staff employed for the past 5 years.

 

[NWinAZ]

The Mariners haven’t confirmed the deal, but ESPN Deportes is reporting the contract has a $1 million base salary, with the potential of an additional $2 million in incentives. Gutierrez is in Seattle and is expected to meet with reporters once everything is finalized.

 

[TheDman875]

Good signing if they're only giving him a 1 million base with incentives. If he can stay off the DL for a change, Seattle got a real nice bargain.

 

[NWinAZ]

Agreed.

 

[johnfree63]

Watch Guti have an awesome year like he did in 2009 and con another GM into giving him a multi year deal.