Gregorius agrees to Minor League deal with Mariners (source)
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SAN DIEGO -- Didi Gregorius' Major League career might not be over just yet.
The 11-year big leaguer has agreed to terms on a Minor League contract with the Mariners that includes a $1.5 million salary plus performance bonuses if he makes the big league team, a source told MLB.com on Thursday. The club hasn't confirmed the deal. The plan is to work out the longtime shortstop around the infield at Triple-A Tacoma once he passes a physical.
Gregorius, who has logged only 79 2/3 innings at second base of his career 8,997 1/3, will be a legitimate consideration at the position, which has been Seattle’s most inconsistent since trading eight-time All-Star Robinson Canó after the 2018 season in the blockbuster that returned Jarred Kelenic among others.
Bringing in Gregorius, who was released by the Phillies last August and has been playing for Algodoneros de Unión Laguna in the Mexican League in 2023, is the first notable move by Seattle ahead of the Trade Deadline season to address its scuffling offense, which has been among the most inconsistent among teams with postseason aspirations.
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Gregorius, 33, has hit .359/.431/.777 (1.208 OPS) with a league-leading 11 homers and 34 RBIs in 117 plate appearances in the Mexican League this season.
But he’s also coming off a tough 2022, in which he hit .210/.263/.304 (.567 OPS) in 63 games for the Phillies, who released him on Aug. 22 of last year. In his best years, with the Yankees from 2015-2019, and the Phillies in ‘20, Gregorius hit .270/.315/.449 (.765 OPS) with 107 homers.
How this affects the Mariners’ second-base situation remains to be seen.
They’ve received just .193/.308/.254 (562 OPS) worth of production at the position, mostly due to the struggles from Kolten Wong, who is just 18-for-118 with three extra-base hits, all doubles. Wong is also due $10 million this year.