GaryMrMets
12-27-2001, 09:17 PM
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news/20011227/seasierra.html
Mariners sign OF Sierra to one-year contract
December 27, 2001
SEATTLE (TICKER) -- After spending 1999 with an independent minor league team, Ruben Sierra's comeback caught the attention of Lou Piniella and the Seattle Mariners.
Sierra, who has spent parts of the last two seasons with the Texas Rangers, agreed to a one-year contract with the Mariners.
Terms were not disclosed, but the Seattle Post-Intelligencer is reporting Sierra will make $1.8 million.
The 36-year-old Sierra was a four-time All-Star and one of the top hitters in the major leagues during his tenure with the Oakland Athletics and Texas from 1986-95. He bounced between five teams from 1996-98 and spent the 1999 season with an independent minor league team in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Sierra started 2000 in the Mexican League before signing a minor league deal with Texas and hitting .326 with 18 home runs and 82 RBI in 112 games with Class AAA Oklahoma. He was recalled late in the season and hit .233 with one homer and seven RBI in 20 games.
After the 2000 season, Sierra signed a minor league deal with the Rangers and was one of the last players cut when the team broke spring training. But he was recalled from the minor leagues on May 3 and hit .291 with 23 homers and 67 RBI in 94 games.
Sierra was used primarily as a designated hitter in 2001, but is expected to play left field with Mark McLemore.
The Mariners tied a major league record with 116 wins, but lost in five games to the New York Yankees in the 2001 American League Championship Series. Seattle lost free agent righthander Aaron Sele to the Anaheim Angels, but acquired third baseman Jeff Cirillo and returns most of its starting lineup.
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updated at Thu Dec 27 12:37:13 2001 PT
Mariners sign OF Sierra to one-year contract
December 27, 2001
SEATTLE (TICKER) -- After spending 1999 with an independent minor league team, Ruben Sierra's comeback caught the attention of Lou Piniella and the Seattle Mariners.
Sierra, who has spent parts of the last two seasons with the Texas Rangers, agreed to a one-year contract with the Mariners.
Terms were not disclosed, but the Seattle Post-Intelligencer is reporting Sierra will make $1.8 million.
The 36-year-old Sierra was a four-time All-Star and one of the top hitters in the major leagues during his tenure with the Oakland Athletics and Texas from 1986-95. He bounced between five teams from 1996-98 and spent the 1999 season with an independent minor league team in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Sierra started 2000 in the Mexican League before signing a minor league deal with Texas and hitting .326 with 18 home runs and 82 RBI in 112 games with Class AAA Oklahoma. He was recalled late in the season and hit .233 with one homer and seven RBI in 20 games.
After the 2000 season, Sierra signed a minor league deal with the Rangers and was one of the last players cut when the team broke spring training. But he was recalled from the minor leagues on May 3 and hit .291 with 23 homers and 67 RBI in 94 games.
Sierra was used primarily as a designated hitter in 2001, but is expected to play left field with Mark McLemore.
The Mariners tied a major league record with 116 wins, but lost in five games to the New York Yankees in the 2001 American League Championship Series. Seattle lost free agent righthander Aaron Sele to the Anaheim Angels, but acquired third baseman Jeff Cirillo and returns most of its starting lineup.
Email this story - (View most popular)
updated at Thu Dec 27 12:37:13 2001 PT