Guillen signs with the Mariners
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Mariners certainly didn't wait long to make a splash at the Winter Meetings.
Seattle announced on Monday, the first day of the meetings, the signing of free-agent outfielder Jose Guillen to a one-year contract with an option for the 2008 season.
Per club policy, the terms of the contract weren't disclosed, though reports indicated that the 30-year-old Guillen -- who played the last two seasons with Washington -- will earn $5.5 million in 2007 with the possibility of another $3 million in incentives.
Guillen appeared in just 69 games last season with the Nationals. He underwent season-ending, reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in July to repair a torn ligament.
Guillen passed a physical on Sunday and agreed to terms with Seattle shortly thereafter.
"We feel like this is a signing with some real upside," Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi said. "Our doctors have given him a very complete physical, and we are very confident he's healthy. When Jose has been healthy in his career, he's put up numbers. This was an opportunity for us to sign a top-quality right fielder and a productive middle-of-the-order hitter."
Guillen hit .216 with the Nationals last season with nine home runs and 40 RBIs in 241 at-bats. He hit .283 with 24 home runs and 76 RBIs in 2005 in 148 games in his first season with Washington.
"He fits real well in our lineup among [Raul] Ibanez, [Richie] Sexson, [Adrian] Beltre," Seattle manager Mike Hargrove said. "Considering the production he has shown in his career, it's a significant acquisition for us. He plays the game with a lot of heart ... he's not afraid to stick his nose in there."
Guillen will be the team's everyday right fielder, though he could certainly be an option as a right-handed designated hitter depending on what other roster moves are made this week and beyond. Eduardo Perez served as the team's DH option against lefties during the second half of last season, but Perez wasn't offered arbitration last Friday.
Depending on the strength of his elbow, Guillen could also spend time in right field, as Ichiro Suzuki -- Seattle's Opening Day right fielder -- said at the end of last season that he'll play center field in 2007.
Guillen is a career .272 hitter with 143 home runs. In addition to the Nationals, he has played for Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, Arizona, Oakland and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Guillen's best season came with Los Angeles in 2004 when he hit .294 with 27 home runs and 104 RBIs.
But Guillen has made headlines for more than his bat during his Major League career.
In 2004, he was suspended by the Angels for the last two weeks of the regular season and the postseason for "inappropriate conduct" after publicly expressing his displeasure after manager Mike Scioscia removed him from a game.
Guillen was traded to the Nationals after that season.
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Guillen signs with the Mariners
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