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| Chone Figgins started just 38 games in 2012. (US Presswire) |
The Chone Figgins era in Seattle is over after the team designated the underachieving utility player for assignment on Tuesday, along with outfielder Scott Cousins.
Figgins, 34, signed a four-year, $36-million deal with the Mariners on Dec. 8, 2009, but has woefully underachieved since joining the Mariners. He is owed $8 million for 2013.
In three seasons with the Mariners, Figgins hit just .227/.302/.283 and was relegated to bench duty the last two seasons. He played in just 66 games in 2012, hitting .181/.262/.271.
Before he signed with the Mariners, he played eight years for the Angels, hitting .291/.363/.388 and earning an All-Star nod in 2009. His signing was celebrated at the time, but he just never produced with his new team. With the Angles he was a super utility player, playing all the positions except for pitcher, catcher and first base. He started just 38 games in 2012, 29 of them in left field.
The Mariners now have 10 days to trade, release or outright Figgins before he becomes a free agent. Any team that traded for him would assume his contract, so it's a safe bet that won't be happening and he'll find a new team to play for next season on his own.
Seattle claimed Cousins off of waivers from Toronto after the season. The Blue Jays picked Cousins up off of waivers in October. He played in 53 games for the Marlins in 2012, hitting .163/.200/.267. He will be better remembered as the player who ran into Buster Posey in a collision at the plate, ending the Giant's catcher's sophomore season.
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