The Mariners have agreed to a minor-league deal with outfielder Carlos Quentin, according to a report from Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune. Quentin will report to Triple-A Tacoma, though his deal reportedly includes an opt-out clause on May 12 that will allow him to become a free agent if he is not on the major-league roster.
Quentin, 32, has had a tumultuous start to the season, after being traded from the Padres to the Braves in the Craig Kimbrel blockbuster and subsequently released by Atlanta. The Braves will pay the $8 million he is owed this season, with Seattle picking up only the pro-rated major-league minimum if he makes the major-league roster.
Quentin spent the last three seasons with his hometown Padres, posting a .251/.352/.464 line with 33 home runs in that time. He will provide some right-handed power for the Mariners, potentially serving as a backup option in the outfield or as a platoon partner for Logan Morrison at first base.
In parts of nine major-league seasons with the Diamondbacks (2006-2007), White Sox (2008-2011) and Padres (2012-2014), Quentin is a lifetime .252/.347/.484 hitter with 154 home runs. Before struggling to a .177 batting average in 50 games last season, he was an All-Star on two occasions (2008 and 2011) and was fifth in the AL MVP race in 2008.