Mariners Sign Matt Lawton

Matt Lawton, who admitted in a story in USA Today Sports Weekly Thursday morning that he'd used steroids, struck a deal with the Seattle Mariners Thursday afternoon, the Seattle P-I has learned.

 

Lawton, who finished last year with the New York Yankees, becomes the second outfielder in a week to be added to the Mariner outfield, Carl Everett having come aboard last week.

 

The 34-year-old will make only barely more than the minimum, $400,000, as a base salary. But he has incentives in the deal that could bring him $1.65 million if he maximizes his at-bats.

 

Lawton told USA Today Sports Weekly that he'd injected a steroid for the first time in his life last Sept. 20, then was randomly subjected to a drug test the next day.

 

"It was a stupid thing," Lawton said, "but I was desperate."

 

Lawton started last season with Pittsburgh, then went to the Chicago Cubs before winding up with the Yankees. He was injured and not playing up to his potential, he said, when he turned to the steroid boldenone.

 

The Mariners have Ichiro Suzuki in right field, Jeremy Reed in center and their choice of Lawton, Everett or incumbent Raul Ibanez in left field. One of those three not playing in left field probably will serve as the designated hitter.

 

This also opens up the possibility for the Mariners to trade Reed for pitching, if they desire. Boston has been willing to make a deal for either Bronson Arroyo or Matt Clement, but a deal would have left Seattle short of outfielders.

 

Now, if Reed is traded, Ichiro could move to center and either Lawton or Ibanez could take over in right.

one step closer to reed coming to boston....???