Well, it's been rumored for a little while, but now it's official:
#Mariners sign Carlos Guillen to a minor league contract with an invite to Major League Spring Training.
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) February 1, 2012
Infielder Carlos Guillen will look to make the Mariners' major league club this spring and if the name rings a bell that's because yes, this is the same Carlos Guillen that was part of the team from 1998 to 2003.
Guillen was originally acquired by the M's in a trade with Houston, along with pitcher Freddy Garcia, for Randy Johnson. He was a reliable infielder and solid hitter for the M's during a few of the glory years around the turn of the century, but really broke out after he left Seattle for Detroit. In 2004, he hit .318 with 20 HR, 97 RBI, and got his first All-Star nod for the Tigers. He battled an achilles injury the next season but returned to that All-Star form in '06 and '07, hitting .320 with 19 homers and 85 RBI and .296 with 21 HR and 102 RBI, respectively.
His numbers have dropped off significantly in the years since, and at 36 he'll look to impress enough to find himself a role on the team. It will be an interesting storyline to watch in Spring Training.
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