Like us on Facebook here

Wednesday March.06,  2013

Noted more for his defense, (as his 2010 GG Award attests to) Gutierrez had some offensive punch before injuries started piled up. He has missed 192 games over the last two seasons. He has had a promising start to the 2013Spring Training – clubbing 3 HRs and 7 RBI in just 15 AB.  The Mariners would gladly take his best offensive year again (2009) – where he hit for a 3 Slash Line of .283/.339/.764, with 18 HRs, 70 RBI and 16 SB.  His injuries have helped pave the way for Michael Saunders to become an everyday OF for the franchise.

By Jon Schifferle ( Mariners Correspondent – visit his own personal website here.) Follow @jonschifferle

Can Franklin Gutierrez be effective again?

Gutierrez, a once promising Outfielder for the Mariners, has struggled to stay on the field for the last two seasons, leaving him somewhat forgotten by many fans.  Sadly, I’m not sure that Gutierrez can be the player he was in 2009 again, not only because of injury history, but because it is an unrealistic expectation for him as a player. 

The main thing that jumps out at me was his Batting Average.  Although you could blame it on recent injuries, his highest BA while playing at least 90 games was .245.  However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he cannot be a good regular for the Mariners.  An incredible Outfielder, he could be a Gold Glove winner that could hold his own at the plate.  The question is –  will he be able to stay on the field?

Franklin Gutierrez Highlights 2012 – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is advised:

Guiterrez was obtained – along with Mike Carp and Jason Vargas (who netted Kendrys Morales) in a 3 team trade between the Mets and Indians – where Jeremy Reed, Sean Green, Luis Valbuena and J.J. Putz were the main players that Seattle dealt in a 2008 winter deal.

Gutierrez is a player that can hit enough, and field well enough, that he can be an average regular.  The man from Venezuela also fits in well with the Mariners.  With the wealth of young arms in the minor leagues, it would suit the Mariners well to retain players like Gutierrez, who can cover much of their expansive outfield with their high-caliber defense. 

Although Gutierrez isn’t incredible at the plate, he could probably produce a stat line around .250/.300/.415 – with somewhere around 15-20 SB.  Although this isn’t spectacular, when you pair it with his glove, it is acceptable.  What must be realized about the oft- injured CF –  is that he is not the player that will carry a team to a spot in the playoffs, but he is a nice piece that can fill a hole on a team.

With any luck, Gutierrez will be able to keep himself on the field, but this won’t necessarily be vital to the team.  The Mariners have plenty of competition for their outfield going into the season, and could turn out to be a good team even without Gutierrez being healthy.  It would be boost to the Mariners to have the problem of having too many competent Outfielders, and then being able to trade one of them later in the season for help in some other area of the team, but that is probably a slightly unrealistic hope for them. 

The Mariners should also let Gutierrez go when he hits Free Agency.  This team needs consistency right now more than ever, and covet and want players with little injury history, that can supplement their young pitchers and position players.  That being said, the team should start a defense-first philosophy in their organization, and play more on speed and fundamentals, than power. 

The Mariners need Outfielders that can cover their expansive outfield, as well as players who steal bases, and go first to third well.  Power doesn’t play well in their park, which has been shown on numerous occasions, but speed would help them both defensively and offensively. 

What Mariners fans need to remember right now is that the time for the organization to be a playoff team is close.  They have a wealth of arms in the minor leagues that will hopefully fit in well right behind the recently extended Felix Hernandez.  Not only that, but they will have a well above average catcher in Mike Zunino to help solidify their rotation and lineup. 

Now, there is no reason that the team shouldn’t push for a playoff spot, but fans should also be understanding that the team is heading in the right direction right now, and there is no reason to be disappointed if the team doesn’t make the Post Season, especially in the tough AL west.  Although Gutierrez is a good player, the focus should be on where the team is going, and how to build on that. 

At just Age 30 now, Gutierrez still has a chance to resurrect his playing career. He managed to crack 4 HRs and 10 Doubles in just 40 Games Played last year. With the Safeco Field fences drawn in this year – he may have a chance to stroke a few more out. Playing well for Seattle would also give the club a trade chip near the Deadline to dangle. Gutierrez is a Free Agent in 2014 if the franchise doesn’t pick up his $7.5 MIL Team Option for next campaign.  his Career 3 Slash Line is .256/.308/.692 – but even less with the Mariners at .258/.308/.680.

(***The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com or their partners***)

A big thank-you goes out to Our ‘Mariners Correspondent’ Jon Schifferle for preparing today’s featured article. John is a college student that grew up in Northern California and he has been a Giants fan for as long as he can remember.  Two of his greatest memories were going to Game 1 of the 2010 World Series, and Game 2 of the 2012 World Series.  he loves to watch prospects and the draft, and started his own blog called A Giant Perspective here.  John loves to write about all aspects of the game.   His dream is to eventually work in baseball in some capacity. Being a West Coast guy, he is able to watch all of the late games out there and have a vast knowledge of the AL and NL West especially.  Feel free to follow Jon on Twitter and talk about the game of baseball Follow @jonschifferle

Jon is on the left and his brother is on the right.

Please e-mail us at: mlbeports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback.  You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.  To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox, click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.

Like us on Facebook here