Seattle Mariners Season Preview: Franklin Gutierrez

Franklin Gutierrez Looks to Stay Healthy Going Into the 2016 Season

Over the past four years, Franklin Gutierrez has had the worst string of luck I think I have ever seen, not only in baseball, but in the history of human health. Gutierrez has had to deal with injury and illness, while having stints on and off the DL with set-backs like plantar fasciitis, a pectoral tear, and a concussion. Most recently, he took the entire 2014 season off to adjust to life with ankylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis that affects the spine.

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One of Jerry Dipoto’s first moves of the offseason was re-signing Gutierrez to a one-year deal after posting strong numbers in the 59 games he played in 2015. He put up a slash line of .292/.354/.620 to go along with 15 home runs and 35 RBI. Despite being a small sample size, those are promising numbers considering Gutierrez had missed the whole season prior.

After spending his first four seasons with Cleveland, Gutierrez came to Seattle and had his best campaign in 2009. He posted a slash of .283/.339/.425 in 153 games and smashed a career high 18 home runs while driving in 70. Gutierrez received the nickname “Death to Flying Things” for his defensive dominance while also putting up a 6.6 WAR.

Jul 26, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Franklin Gutierez (30, center) celebrates after hitting a walk-off solo-homer against the Toronto Blue Jays during the tenth inning at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated Toronto, 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

The Good

Although he has been plagued with injury, Gutierrez is a formidable addition to any roster when healthy. The Venezuelan native is a career .258 hitter, but has only hit the 100 games played mark in four of his ten seasons. When Gutierrez plays consistently and doesn’t lose time to injury, he will be an average hitter and a well above average defender.

He was a gold glover in 2010 and was very much the death to flying things in center field. Even though he will patrol right field in a platoon role this season, Gutierrez will still provide above average range in the vast outfield of Safeco Field.

The Bad

Gutierrez has been adjusting to having ankylosing spondylitis, and will try to play all of 2016. The Mariners will have him platoon with Seth Smith in right field against southpaws and only hits a career .243 against right-handed pitchers. Gutierrez won’t be able to play a full 162 game season with his condition.

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And with that condition, who knows what other injuries could come to Gutierrez. He hasn’t had the best of luck, so who’s to say it’ll change for this season? The hope obviously is that he’ll stay healthy, but only time will tell if the baseball gods will be on his side this year.

The Future

A platoon role for Gutierrez is perfect for him. Not only will he not have to over exert himself on the field, but he will be able to hit against lefties where he thrives. Only playing a portion of the games should give him the rest and the days off he needs to deal with his condition.

According to Baseball Reference, Gutierrez is projected to have 295 plate appearances and hit 16 home runs with a slash line of .264/.321/.506. Fangraphs projects him to have only 244 plate appearances and hit 8 home runs while putting up a slash of only .237/.293/.399.

Next: Will there be a Marte Partay in Seattle this season?

Franklin Gutierrez will be an important piece to the 2016 Mariners. With his defensive abilities and potential for a comeback season, I think he will play a major role if he stays healthy. I’m interested to see what Gutierrez will bring to the team this year; if he can overcome his string of bad luck and return to being the death to flying things we all know and love.

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