Mariners 'expected to be finalists' in the Josh Hamilton Sweepstakes

The Seattle Mariners are expected to be finalists in the sweepstakes to land the services of slugger Josh Hamilton, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. His report comes from predictions from "several GMs" across Major League Baseball.

Hamilton would definitely be an injection of power for an impotent Mariners offense if they were to sign him. Only three teams scored fewer runs that Seattle last season, and Hamilton's bat would lead the Mariners in each triple crown category. Last year, Hamilton hit .285 (Seattle's leader was Jesus Montero at .260), blasted 43 home runs (Kyle Seager, 20), and knocked in 128 RBI (Seager, 86).

In a different report, Nightengale says that the Texas Rangers don't plan on offering Hamilton more than a three-year contract even though the lefty reportedly wants a seven-year contract. Such an offer would seem to make Hamilton unlikely to return to Texas.

Nightengale reported that general managers also believe the Baltimore Orioles will be finalists. For a detailed breakdown of the possibility of Hamilton playing for the Mariners, visit Lookout Landing.