Mariners retain Franklin Gutierrez on one-year deal

The Seattle Mariners have re-signed outfielder Franklin Gutierrez to a one-year, Major League contract, they announced Wednesday.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

Gutierrez is coming off a successful rebound campaign in 2015. After not appearing in the Major Leagues in two years, Gutierrez re-signed with the Mariners, dominated the minor leagues, and warranted himself a call-up on June 24, his first big league game since September 27, 2013. 

With Nelson Cruz, Seth Smith, James Jones, and Ramon Flores all likely spending time in the Mariners' outfield next season, Gutierrez appears to be their fourth outfielder and a power bat off the bench.

Last season, the soon-to-be 33-year-old Gutierrez hit .292/.354/.620 in 189 plate appearances, homering 15 times and driving in 35 runs. 

Gutierrez had a once-promising career, winning a Gold Glove and hitting 30 home runs over the course of two seasons with Seattle back in 2009 and 2010, but injuries and illnesses, including issues with his immune system, have kept him off the field. 

The Mariners hope that Gutierrez was able to revive his career in 2015 and will prove valuable going into the 2016 campaign. 

​--Devan Fink

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