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The Seattle Mariners were in a good position to sign Josh Hamilton this off-season according to Larry Stone of The Seattle Times but things may change now that the Yankees are expressing interest in the outfielder.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is running a background check on Hamilton, according to Bob Nightengale of The USA Today.
Stone believes that the Yankees would significantly hinder Seattle's chances of signing Hamilton this year.
Hamilton batted .285 with 43 home runs and 128 RBIs on a Rangers team that went 93-69 last season. For his career, Hamilton is hitting .304 and has accumulated 161 home runs and 553 RBIs in six seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers.
Hamilton and his agent are reportedly seeking a contract worth $25 million a year for the next six or seven years, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com.
The Mariners are trying to improve after they finished the 2012 season with a 75-87 record.