Hart opts for free agency ahead of schedule
Veteran battled hamstring, knee injuries on one-year contract with Mariners
SEATTLE -- Veteran designated hitter Corey Hart declined an outright assignment to the Minor Leagues and elected to become a free agent on Monday, a week after being designated for assignment by the Mariners.
The move was expected after Hart was DFA'd in order to make room on the 40-man roster for first baseman Jesus Montero, who was activated off the suspended list the day after the regular season ended.
Hart would have become a free agent at the conclusion of the World Series anyway, so the move merely speeds up the process for the 10-year Major League veteran, who struggled in his lone season with the Mariners on a one-year deal signed as a free agent last winter.
Hart, 32, hit .203 with six home runs and 21 RBIs in 68 games after signing a $6 million deal. The two-time National League All-Star spent a good part of the season on the disabled list with a hamstring strain and then knee issues after missing all of 2013 with the Brewers following microfracture surgeries to both knees.
Seattle's other free agents will be pitchers Joe Beimel and Chris Young, outfielders Endy Chavez and Chris Denorfia, catcher Humberto Quintero and designated hitter Kendrys Morales. Outfielder Franklin Gutierrez also becomes a free agent after spending the year on Seattle's restricted list following his decision to not report to camp last February.
Those players will be free to sign with any MLB team at the conclusion of the World Series.