M’s gamble paid dividends

PEORIA, Ariz. – All Franklin Gutierrez wanted was the opportunity to be a part of the Seattle Mariners’ plans.

It worked out well for both.

The M’s took a gamble a year ago on Gutierrez, the primary component in a 12-player, three-team trade before the 2009 season. Gutierrez then held down a solid center field for the Mariners and had career numbers at the plate as Seattle went from 61 victories to 85 in one season.

“You go back to the old school philosophy that pitching and defense win games,” said Lee Tinsley, the Mariners’ first-base and outfield coach. “Last year we proved that. Now we add a little more offense to the equation and still keep that consistent defense then hopefully we can be better.”

Gutierrez brought that consistency to center field, one of the hardest positions in the big leagues to fill adequately. He earned the Fielding Bible Award as the best fielding center fielder in the majors.

“When I first got here, I looked at a lot of video from Cleveland. The way he moved, you could tell this guy could play center field,” Tinsley said. “You watch his actions, he’s constantly working, always tracking the ball even in batting practice. He’s got that effort you see really good center fielders have: no panic; able to read the ball right off the bat; and not take bad routes.

“I don’t think in the year I saw him take maybe one bad route on a ball. He had really good instincts going for the ball, a sense of knowing where the ball was without any effort.”

Seattle wasn’t completely sure they had that guy. Gutierrez had played center early in his career with the Indians, but as Grady Sizemore developed, he took over in center and Gutierrez moved to right field.

“When I was with Cleveland they changed my position to right field,” Gutierrez said. “As a professional player, you have to make the adjustments and play where they put you. Obviously, I prefer center. I can see the game a little better. I feel like because I play a lot of center field it’s more easy for me. I appreciate that I play center field for Seattle.

“That was one of the keys, because this team was giving me the opportunity to play every day. That feels good for anybody – when someone shows you that confidence. I was playing so relaxed and having fun. That was a most important thing, just concentrate on the things I know I can do. That’s why I had a good year.”

His offense was his bonus. He had only one season in which he played more than 100 games – 134 in 2008 – so his offensive numbers were restricted. He would play 153 games for the Mariners last season and produced career highs for at-bats (565), average (.285), hits (160), home runs (18) and RBIs (70).

“I was surprised myself with the numbers I had last year,” he said. “But I think I can do better. I want to work hard, just play my game. I want to help my team in any aspect.”

Seattle rewarded Gutierrez with a four-year contract extension during the offseason.

M’s sign ex-Indian

The Mariners have agreed to a minor league deal with right-handed reliever Wes Littleton.

Littleton, who pitched for the Spokane Indians in 2003 and finished with a 6-0 record and a 1.56 ERA, will report to minor league spring training on Sunday. He pitched during parts of three seasons with the Texas Rangers from 2006-08. In 80 career appearances, the 27-year-old is 5-3 with three saves and a 3.69 ERA.

Notes

The Mariners held a morning five-inning, intrasquad game. The highlight was a solo home run by Ryan Langerhans off Josh Fields in a 2-0 win. … The Mariners open Cactus League play today against the Giants. Right-hander Doug Fister, a candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation, will get the start.