Mariners bring back Gutierrez

Published January 13, 2015

Seattle, WA (SportsNetwork.com) - The Seattle Mariners re-signed outfielder Franklin Gutierrez to a reported one-year contract Wednesday, less than two months after declining a team option on the oft-injured former Gold Glove winner.

ESPN Deportes reported that Gutierrez agreed to a one-year deal with a base value of $1 million that includes up to $2 million in incentives. He would have earned $7.5 million in 2014 had the Mariners picked up the option.

Gutierrez established career highs of 18 homers and 70 RBI while batting .283 as the Mariners' everyday center fielder in 2009 and earned a Gold Glove the following season, but a rash of injuries has led to a decline in production over the last three years. He has spent six stints on the disabled list over that stretch and played in just 81 games over the previous two campaigns.

The 30-year-old did perform well in a limited role last season, belting 10 homers in just 145 at-bats to go along with a .248 average while missing much of the season with a strained right hamstring.

Over nine overall major league seasons with Cleveland and Seattle, Gutierrez owns a .256 average with 67 homers and 279 RBI. He was acquired by the Mariners from the Indians as part of a three-team trade in December of 2008.

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