Sexson終於到手 - 美國職棒

Sexson signs with Mariners
Slugger averaged 32 homers over last four seasons
By Jim Street / MLB.com


Richie Sexson adds pop to a Mariners lineup that hit just 136 home runs last se
ason. (Roy Dabner/AP)



‧ Richie Sexson press conference 350K
‧ Sexson press conference
‧ Richie Sexson career stats


The Mariners finalized a contract with free agent Richie Sexson on Wednesday, e
nding a tug-of-war with the Orioles.
Sexson was introduced at a late-afternoon press conference at Safeco Field.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but industry sources say it is a four
-year, $48 million deal, which would make Sexson the highest-paid player on the
team. Right fielder Ichiro Suzuki has three years remaining on a contract that
averages $11 million.

The Mariners are hoping Sexson spends this summer driving in Ichiro and others.
In 2004, Seattle scored the fewest runs (698) and hit the fewest home runs (13
6) en route to a 63-99 record in finishing in last-place finish in the AL West.


"We have stated from the outset that our primary goal this offseason was to add
offense," general manager Bill Bavasi said. "Richie was one of the premier fre
e agents available on the market."

Sexson has averaged 32 home runs and 94 RBIs the past four years, despite missi
ng most of last season in Arizona with a severe shoulder injury. He sustained a
subluxation of his left shoulder and a slight tear of his labrum while attempt
ing to check his swing on April 28.

He was on the disabled list from April 29-May 20, only the second DL stint of h
is career, before re-injuring the shoulder and returning to the DL on May 23. H
e underwent arthroscopic surgery on June 4 and missed the remainder of the year
, finishing the season with nine home runs and 23 RBIs in 23 games.

Sexson passed a physical in Seattle on Monday, leading to Wednesday's much-anti
cipated announcement.

"That is good, really good news," starting pitcher Ryan Franklin said from his
offseason home in Oklahoma. "He is really going to help us out."

Franklin could be a huge benefactor. The right-hander had a 4-16 record last se
ason but received less run support (3.14 runs per nine innings) than any pitche
r in the American League.

"I'll need more than just him," Franklin laughed, "but it's a good start. Carlo
s Delgado would be nice. Adrian Beltre would be nice. But this definitely makes
me feel good, and I'm sure they [Mariners] aren't finished."

Actually, the organization is still talking to Delgado and Beltre, although it
seems unlikely that both would sign with Seattle.

"I'm not surprised; I'm thrilled," Franklin added. "I'm happy for our team, the
organization and everybody. I knew they were going to have to do something abo
ut our run production, which was the lowest in the league, and they added a hom
e-run threat to the middle of our lineup. And he's a good dude, man."

At the moment, Sexson is penciled in at first base, though that could change if
the Mariners are successful in signing Delgado.

"Any time you add a hitter with numbers like Richie has produced over his caree
r, it helps to legitimize your lineup," Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said in
a statement. "Richie is a proven middle-of-your-order hitter and one of the bet
ter power and production hitters of the last four years. He is the first big pi
ece of what we are trying to do here, and I am extremely happy to have him sign
ed and in Seattle."


跟預計一樣
4y 48m
比一郎一年貴1m
金鳥魔咒終於退散
不過我覺得下一個會更貴阿!!!

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