Seattle Mariners: Top 50 players of all time
By Nick Lee
26. Franklin Gutierrez (2009-2016)
Many Mariners fans today think that had Gutierrez stayed healthy, he could have been much higher on this list. Once deemed “Death to Flying Things,” Guti had all the tools, earning a Gold Glove in 2010.
He hit .283 with 18 home runs in 2009 and led the American League. in defensive WAR that same year. Injuries plagued him in his seven seasons on the field in Seattle. He topped 98 games played only twice during his stint in Seattle.
As a Mariner, Gutierrez hit .257 with 74 home runs and 557 hits. He came to Seattle with much fanfare as he was part of the deal in 2009 that shipped Putz out of town. He was signed to play 2017 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
25. Floyd Bannister (1979-1982)
Bannister was part of the Mariners rotation for four seasons. His best year came in 1982, when he earned his only All-Star selection. He got 12 wins with a 3.43 ERA and an American League leading 209 strikeouts in 247 innings pitched.
He started 117 games for the M’s, winning 40 of them with 564 strikeouts, which is 12th on the Mariners’ franchise list. He is 10th in franchise history in WAR for pitchers with a 13.4.
Bannister went on to pitch 15 seasons total, with 134 wins and 1,723 strikeouts. He also surpassed 200 innings on six occasions.