Dreaming Of Franklin Gutierrez
A minor league signing is best when it comes with upside. That’s why teams invite their MiLB signees to big league camp – to see if they don’t have what it takes to help the big league club win. It helps if the player in question has a history at the highest level. It’s all the more tantalizing if that player has excelled at that level before.
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In one sense, we all know what Franklin Gutierrez can be. In another, very similar sense, we have no idea. He was a star in 2009, then an injured bust most every year since then. When we saw him in 2013, he was a dinger machine to the extent that his on-base problems didn’t even matter. As recently as two years ago he was an above-average major league hitter.
Then came last year, when Guti decided in the early going that he wasn’t even healthy enough to participate in the 2014 campaign. He’s back, now, and while he’s been a slow starter, it’s probably worth drooling about what he might be in a couple months.
Gutierrez has been hampered by a groin injury all spring, which is why he’s only made it to the plate five times. Though he’s hitless, most of his at-bats have ended with screaming liners that just so happened to find gloves. He’s looked lively when he’s been able to take the plate. That alone is an accomplishment.
The groin injury isn’t related to his gastrointestinal issues, which have been the main cause of his health troubles these last five years. But one would hope that the soreness is just the product of him finally being back to regular baseball activities. There’s virtually no chance for Guti to crack the opening day lineup. The hope is that he’ll be ready to play center field for the Tacoma Rainiers by the time the AAA season gets started.
If he’s healthy by then, he’s immediately an intriguing option as soon as a need opens up in the Mariners’ outfield. Talent isn’t the question with Guti. He’s a MLB-caliber player, no question. It’s just health. Always has been. He’s not quite there yet, but the big thing is that it’s just the groin right now. As soon as that’s healed, he should be good to go.
Even with his stomach issues in check, we still don’t have healthy Guti. But he’s close. So, so close. And why shouldn’t a healthy Gutierrez be on the Mariners’ roster? Rickie Weeks can play more infield, Guti can be the fifth outfielder. Having a slugger with range on the bench is a luxury that we can now dream about. If that groin loosens up, it could be a reality sooner rather than later.
Of course, this is all a dream right now. Franklin Gutierrez is not healthy. He’s been taking batting practice while waiting for a Monday re-evaluation. Word is he’s not running well, but that’s to be expected. He hurt his groin, after all, and is coming off a year in which he was too sick to play. But the dream we have today is that once this clears up he’s just another baseball player. A baseball player who was last seen slugging .503 in the majors.
Dreaming of Franklin Gutierrez is an annual tradition. This year’s dreams are more likely to translate to reality than those of last year. That’s exciting. Healthy Franklin Gutierrez is one of the most entertaining players on this or any team. Here’s to good health going forward.