Mariners designate Chone Figgins for assignment

The Seattle Mariners have designated third baseman Chone Figgins for assignment with one year and $8 million remaining on his contract, reports Greg Johns of MLB.com:

With one season and $8 million still remaining on his four-year contract, the Mariners cut ties with Chone Figgins on Tuesday as the veteran infielder was designated for assignment as part of a series of roster moves…

"These decisions are driven by what a player does on the field and when you get to the point he may no longer be part of this club going forward, you have to make decisions," said general manager Jack Zduriencik.

"He just became an expendable piece and that’s just it. That’s the end of the story."

Signed to a four-year, $36 million contract in late 2009 after a stellar season with the Angels, Figgins has had a miserable tenure in Seattle. The switch-hitting 34-year-old hit just .227/.302/.283 in his time with the Mariners, losing his starting job part-way through the 2011 season.

It has been speculated in the past that Figgins could return to the friendly confines of Anaheim to regain his hitting stroke, but a source told Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com yesterday that Figgins is "not likely to be a fit" for the Angels next season.

In addition to Figgins, the Mariners also designated outfielder Scott Cousins for assignment, just two weeks ago after claiming him on waivers. Seattle now has ten days to trade, release or outright both players before they become free agents.