Mariners, Minnesota, and Rangers were in a fight to take AJ Pollock by their side. Former Gold Glove winner A. J. Pollock had decided to go as a free agent after a stale season with the Chicago White Sox. According to recent developments, the player has already fixed his new destination.
Pollock was traded to the White Sox by the Los Angeles Dodgers last year. He previously spent time with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2012-2018) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2019-2021). The outfielder won the World Series in 2020, the Golden Glove, and the MLB All-Star Game in 2015. He was recently traded from the Boston White Sox to the Seattle Mariners.
What was the contract between the mariners and the pollock?
Yesterday, the Mariners signed the 35-year-old veteran for one year for $7 million, according to Jeff Passan. Passan also revealed the player is now undergoing a physical evaluation to confirm the deal.
It seems Pollock wasn’t enjoying his spell at Chicago; even the stats speak for themselves. The right-hander scored only 61 runs on 120 hits and stole only three bases despite his 527 plate appearances. For this reason, he declined a $13 million offer for 2023.
Which other teams were after the outfielder?
Rumors suggest that the Minnesota Twins and the Texas Rangers were also interested in this outfielder. But there was a decisive factor, we assume the Mariners’ general manager, Jerry Dipoto, who gave Pollock the first opportunity to play in MLB for the Diamondbacks by picking him back in the 2009 draft.
This could also explain why Pollock turned down the White Sox’s offer in favor of the lesser $1 million one. With the $7 million base offer, Pollock will receive another $5 million in buyouts. But overall, Pollock wants to enjoy his playing while there is still time.
The Mariners clinched the wild card from the American League West with a 90-72 record. Last season, they also played in the American League Division Series; this season, they are hoping to go even further, hopefully to the World Series, with Pollock.
A. J. Pollock has scored 140 home runs in 1010 hits and 122 steals in his long 11-year career. Pollock’s vast experience on the field could be beneficial to the Seattle Mariners for the rest of the season.
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