Mariners sign Kyle Seager to long-term contract extension
Seager was an All-Star and Gold Glove winner in 2014
SEATTLE, Wash. - Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik announced today the club has signed third baseman Kyle Seager to a 7-year contract through the 2021 season with a club option for the 2022 season. Per club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
"This is a great day for the Seattle Mariners, our fans and the Seager family. As one of our homegrown players it is nice to know that he will remain with us for at least seven more seasons," said Zduriencik. "Kyle has taken a step forward each season since joining the organization in 2009, and has turned into one of the premier third baseman in the game. He has exhibited class both on and off the field and is someone we are all extremely proud of. We are very pleased to announce this joint commitment by the Seattle Mariners and Kyle Seager as we strive toward our goal of winning a World Championship."
Seager, 27, is coming off a career season in 2014 after batting .268 (158x590) with 27 doubles, 4 triples, 25 home runs and 96 RBI in 159 games. He was selected to play in his first All-Star game and was the American League Gold Glove® winner at third base.
"I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity that the Seattle Mariners have given me," said Seager. "This is an amazing honor for me and my family to remain with such a great organization for the foreseeable future."
The North Carolina native led the team in home runs (25), RBI (96) and extra-base hits (56) last season, becoming the first Mariners player since Raul Ibañez (2005-2008) to record 20 or more home runs in at least 3 consecutive seasons. Seager hit 20 homers in 2012, 22 in 2013 and 25 last season. He joins Ken Griffey Jr. and Jim Presley as the only Mariners players with 20 or more homers in three of the first four seasons of a career.
Since his first full Major League season in 2012, Seager has averaged over 30 doubles, 50 extra-base hits, 20 home runs and 80 RBI a season. During this three-year span he combined to bat .262 (472x1799) with 94 doubles, 67 home runs and 251 RBI in 474 games. Seager's 168 extra-base hits and 251 RBI ranked 2nd-most among third baseman, and 67 home runs are tied for 4th-most over the last three seasons.
Seager has been a mainstay in the lineup and at third base appearing in 520 of the Mariners last 540 games (since 8/2/11). He ended the 2014 season appearing in 126 consecutive games, the 6th-longest active "Iron Man" streak in MLB. In 157 games at third base last season he recorded the highest fielding percentage at .981 (8 E, 422 TC), the 10th-best mark by an AL third baseman dating back to 1948.
Seager made his Major League debut as a 23-year-old on July 7, 2011. He had a rapid rise through the Mariners organization after being selected in the 3rd round of the 2009 June Draft out of the University of North Carolina. In his first full professional season with High Desert in 2010, Seager batted .345 (192x557) in 135 games and led the minor leagues in hits and runs scored (126).