Seattle, WA (My Sportsbook) - The Seattle Mariners could not reach an agreement on a contract extension for designated hitter Edgar Martinez, and he became a free agent. Martinez, who turns 40 in January, made $9 million in 2002. The Mariners decided not to exercise a one-year option that would have paid him $10 million next season. Instead, Martinez will get a $2 million buyout from the team. Martinez has spent his entire 16-year career with the Mariners and last season he hit .277 with 15 homers and 59 RBI. He was limited to just 97 games because of injuries. He pulled his left hamstring on April 11 in Anaheim and had surgery two days later to remove a ruptured tendon behind his left knee. Martinez was on the disabled list until June 14. A two-time American League batting champion, Martinez has a .317 career batting average with 273 homers and 1,100 RBI. |
