According to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times, the Mariners are offering something like two years plus an option to right fielder Jose Guillen. Guillen is hitting .286/.357/.439 as the Mariners’ #3 hitter.
Back in mid-July, I speculated that it might require something like three years and $36MM to retain Guillen. Guillen still has a decent shot at 100 RBI. I think that still holds some weight among decision-makers, like it or not. Guillen’s actually probably a touch below average offensively for a right fielder. I’m not sure what to make of Guillen’s platoon split – he’s been far better against lefties this year but had the opposite split in 2005 (his last full season). By most accounts Guillen’s a plus on defense.
It’s clear that the future Mariner outfield will have Ichiro Suzuki and Adam Jones playing regularly. They’re locked in with Raul Ibanez and Jose Vidro in 2008, seemingly filling the DH spot. The odd man out seems to be 23 year-old right fielder Wladimir Balentien. Wlad’s had two awesome months out of four at Triple A this year, leaving him with a nice .308/.378/.561 line with 24 homers. The Mariners seem to view him as expendable, apparently offering him for Octavio Dotel. If they sign Guillen through 2010, Balentien will find himself in many more trade rumors this winter.
