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Seattle Mariners

Mariners to sign veteran outfielder Carlos Gonzalez to minor league contract

Former Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez tosses his bat after striking out against the San Diego Padres on April 11, 2018. The Mariners are adding depth to their outfield, agreeing Tuesday to a minor league contract with Gonzalez, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. (David Zalubowski / AP)
By Ryan Divish Seattle Times

PEORA, Ariz. – If it were 2012, the image of Carlos Gonzalez in a Mariners uniform would’ve been met with joy and anticipation from fans starved for superstars and potent hitters.

Then again, if it were 2012, Gonzalez wouldn’t be signing a minor league contract with an invite to spring training and trying to make a team that’s headed for a losing season.

On Tuesday afternoon, Major League Baseball sources confirmed the Mariners and the three-time National League All-Star outfielder for the Rockies were in agreement on a contract, pending a physical.

Per sources, the deal is a split deal, meaning if the 34-year-old Gonzalez were to make the MLB team, he would earn $750,000 with performance bonuses.

Given the Mariners’ direction as a team and focus on young players this season, Gonzalez seems like a long shot to make the Opening Day roster. However, right fielder Mitch Haniger’s offseason sports hernia and subsequent surgery, along with the inexperienced group of outfielders on the Mariners’ 40-man roster does give Gonzalez a chance as a temporary stopgap until Haniger is healthy.

As of now, the projected Mariners outfield would be Mallex Smith in center field with some combination of prospects Kyle Lewis, Jake Fraley, Jose Siri and Braden Bishop sharing time at the corner spots. The only other outfielders scheduled to report to camp, Jarred Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez and Luis Liberato, are even younger prospects.

Gonzalez signed a minor league contract with the Indians last spring and started the season in Triple-A before having his contract selected and added to the active roster on April 14. He played in 30 games for Cleveland, posting a .210/.282/.276 slash line with a double, two homers, seven RBIs and 33 strikeouts. The Indians designated him for assignment and released him May 26. He signed a minor league contract with the Cubs and eventually appeared in 15 games, hitting just .175 (7 for 40) with 19 strikeouts before being released again in late June. He last played in a game June 27.

From 2010 to 2016, he was one of the NL’s top outfielders and a terror against right-handed pitching with Colorado. He posted a .296/.353/.535 slash line over that span, averaging 28 doubles, four triples, 26 homers and 86 RBIs.

M’s invite Filia to camp

The Mariners have decided to invite outfielder/first baseman Eric Filia to MLB camp. Filia wasn’t on the original list of invitees announced earlier in the offseason, and it seemed like punishment for testing positive for drug abuse last season. It was the third positive test for Filia in the past three seasons, earning him a 100-game suspension.

He returned on July 25 and finished the season with Tacoma, posting a .331/.450/.488 line with 13 doubles, two homers, 13 RBIs, 25 walks and 15 strikeouts in 35 games. Filia also played well in the Dominican Winter League for Estrellas, posting a .301/.401/.359 slash line with six doubles, a homer and nine RBIs in 45 games.

Seattle signed utility player Alen Hanson to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training. A speedy, defense-first player, Hanson can play second base and shortstop and all three outfield positions. In parts of four seasons, Hanson has a career .232/.266/.368 slash line.

Right-hander Matt Festa has cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma. He will still be invited to MLB spring training.