Early Tuesday morning, multiple Internet reports surfaced that the Mariners were on the verge of trading for Red Sox first baseman Casey Kotchman.
With the news of former M’s third baseman Adrian Beltre signing a one-year, $9 million contract with the Red Sox breaking Monday, Kotchman became largely expendable.
Kotchman, 26, is a left-handed-hitting first baseman with a solid glove and less-than-average power for a corner position.
In 2009, with the Atlanta Braves and the Red Sox, he played in 126 games with 431 plate appearances. He hit .268 with seven home runs and 48 RBI, while posting an on-base percentage of .339 and a slugging percentage of .382.
In exchange for Kotchman, it is expected the Mariners will give up utility infielder Bill Hall and possibly a minor league player to be named, as well as possible cash considerations.
Hall came to the Mariners on Aug. 19 in a trade for cash. He played 34 games, seeing time at a variety of positions. He hit .200 (24-for-120) with two home runs and 12 RBI.
While aspects of the deal seem to have been settled, when the deal might be finalized has not. Physicals for Hall and Kotchman still need to be taken.
A source familiar with the trade said it might not be announced until later this week.
Gutierrez locked up?
Apparently, Zduriencik isnt just looking at bringing in new players. Hes also working to keep around one of his best ones.
On Tuesday, there were reports that the Mariners and center fielder Franklin Gutierrez are close to finalizing a 4-year, $20.5 million contract extension.
The first one surfaced on Twitter from a Venezuelan baseball reporter, and later mlb.com talked to Gutierrezs agent, Wil Polidor, who told the site:
We are really close. We want to get it done this week, Polidor said. Maybe today or tomorrow or in a few hours. We are just waiting on Seattle. Its 90 percent done.
The Mariners acquired Gutierrez from the Cleveland Indians as part of a three-team, 10-player trade that sent then-Mariners closer J.J. Putz to the New York Mets.
In his first full season with the Mariners and really his first full season as an everyday player, Gutierrez cemented himself as Seattles center fielder of the future.
He played in 153 games, hitting .283 (160-for-565) with 18 homers and 70 RBI. As the season went on, he showed increased patience at the plate, drawing 46 walks and posting an on-base percentage of .347.
But it was on defense where he truly shined . He led major league outfielders with 445 putouts, while showing a penchant for making spectacular catches. According to the latest defensive metric ultimate zone rating Gutierrez was the best defensive player in all of baseball with a rating of 29.1, essentially meaning he saved his team 29.1 runs because of his defense.
With the contract extension, the Mariners would have control over Gutierrez during his two arbitration-eligible years, as well as his first free agent year.
Ryan Divish: 253-597-8483 ryan.divish@thenewstribune.com
