Mariners sign Winn & Franklin

SuperAngels · December 11, 2003

Thursday, December 11, 2003

Outfielder, pitcher get multi-year deals

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ESPN.com news services

Seattle Mariners: Seattle agreed to multiyear contracts Thursday with two key contributors from last season, switch-hitting outfielder Randy Winn and right-hander Ryan Franklin.

Winn received a deal that guarantees him $11 million over three years and Franklin got a two-year contract. Both had been eligible for salary arbitration.

Winn joined the Mariners as compensation when former manager Lou Piniella left with a year on his contract to take over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Winn hit .295 last season with 11 homers and 75 RBI.

Winn performed well at the plate down the stretch, hitting .330 in the second half -- .350 in September -- and ending the season on a 12-game hitting streak. Winn earned a base salary of $3.3 million last season.

After the Mariners decided last weekend not to offer salary arbitration to free agent center fielder Mike Cameron, general manager Bill Bavasi said the team hoped to work a new deal for Winn, who played in left last season.

Melvin has said he plans to move Winn to center field while putting free agent acquisition Raul Ibanez in left. Ichiro Suzuki will remain in right.

Franklin, who earned $425,000 last season, went 11-13 with a 3.57 ERA, which ranked ninth in the AL. He had career highs in wins, innings pitched (212.0), starts (32), complete games (two) and strikeouts (99). Franklin, who turns 31, in March, didn't miss a scheduled start all season.