Report: Dodgers agree to 1-year, $2.6M deal with Gutierrez
Former Seattle Mariners outfielder Franklin Gutierrez - who goes by the nickname "Guti" - has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.6 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources told Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
Gutierrez will also earn $400,000 in incentives.
The 33-year-old outfielder and 11-year veteran is coming off a season with the Mariners that saw him combine to .246/.329/.452 with 14 home runs and 39 RBIs in 98 games. Gutierrez missed all of 2014 with ankylosing spondylitis - a type of arthritis affecting the joints and spine, as well as irritable bowel syndrome.
When healthy, however, he's provided his fair share of value - particularly on defense. From 2007 to 2009 with Cleveland and Seattle, Gutierrez was very steady in the outfield, combining to 66 defensive runs saved. His health has contributed to a bit of a decline since then, but he should provide the Dodgers with added depth at the position.
Gutierrez has also shown the ability to hit extremely well versus left-handed pitchers, performing to .289/.351/.495 with a .846 OPS career mark against southpaws.
The Dodgers have a crowded outfield heading into 2017, as a bevy of players are expected to battle it out for playing time including Yasiel Puig, Andrew Toles, Joc Pederson, Andre Ethier, and Scott Van Slyke.