Mariners reportedly sign former All-Star OF Carlos González to minors deal
Feb 11, 2020, 12:09 PM
(AP)
The Mariners will have a three-time All-Star competing for a spot in their outfield in spring training.
M’s could be set with starters, but don’t rule out a Taijuan Walker reunion
Carlos González, who had a run as one of the best all-around players in baseball earlier in his career, has signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
While González was a star with the Colorado Rockies, the now 34-year-old outfielder is four years removed from his last standout season and is coming off a dismal 2019 campaign where he failed to stick on the major league rosters of both Cleveland and the Chicago Cubs.
González hit .210 (22 for 105) with two home runs and 10 walks in 30 games with Cleveland before being released on May 26, 2019. The Cubs picked him up on June 1, and he had seven hits in 40 at-bats, including a home run, before being released again on July 2 after just 15 games.
A three-time Gold Glove winner, González spent 10 years with Colorado after beginning his MLB career at 22 years old with a single season in Oakland. He has six seasons of 20 or more homers under his belt, including a career-high 40 in 2015, and had a nice year in 2018, hitting .276 with 16 home runs, 32 doubles, 64 RBIs, and a .796 OPS in 132 games. Injuries have been a common problem in his career, however, and he had to settle for a minors deal with Cleveland in 2019. He played eight games combined in Triple-A last year between Cleveland and Chicago’s affiliates.
The Mariners may have a spot for González early in the season with 2018 All-Star Mitch Haniger having suffered a setback in his recovery from a core injury and not expected to return in time for spring training.
Notes
• The Mariners announced Monday they have promoted Justin Hollander to vice president and assistant general manager, baseball operations. Hollander is in his fourth year with Seattle. He was hired as director of baseball operations in 2016 and promoted to assistant GM in late 2018.
• Right-handed reliever Matt Festa was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday after clearing waivers. The 26 year old had been designated for assignment on Feb. 3 to make room for outfielder Jose Siri on Seattle’s 40-man roster. Festa had a 5.64 ERA with 21 strikeouts and 12 walks in 20 appearances (22.1 innings).
Follow 710Sports.com’s Brent Stecker on Twitter.