Corey Hart Will Wear His Sunglasses In Seattle
Free agent first baseman Corey Hart found a home in Seattle, coming to terms with the Mariners on a flexible one-year deal.
The Corey Hart signing comes in the wake of Seattle landing big fish free agent Robinson Cano. On the same day as Hart’s deal, the Mariners executed a trade that sent Carter Capps to Miami in exchange for Logan Morrison. The recent maneuvers have Fox Sports asking “Who do the Mariners think they are… the Yankees?”
Corey Hart is set to make a base salary of $6 million, according to ESPN, but Hart’s deal is also said to be loaded with $7 million in incentives. No doubt the deal is contingent upon a full physical evaluation after Corey Hart missed the 2013 season as a result of surgery on his right knee following a meniscus tear and joint damage. It was Corey’s second knee surgery in as many years
Mind you, Hart isn’t the only newly-minted Mariner with a dodgy knee; Morrison missed the first two months for Miami with surgery on his own right knee. Corey Hart’s knee is reportedly good-to-go, however, according to Corey Hart.
“Knees good as well as the rest of me. Been working hard and glad to be able to get out there with this exciting club,” Hart said in a text message to the Associated Press confirming the deal.
Corey Hart offers Seattle a big bat and can play first base or outfield, the latter of which may be likely with the acquisition of Morrison; it’s unlikely the Mariners would platoon the duo at first base with all the money they’re spending this year. Hart has 950 hits and 154 home runs in his 945 games with the Milwaukee Brewers, and Corey finished third in the 2010 Home Run Derby.
On the same day as the Hart deal, baseball fans learned of a rule change from the MLB winter meetings banning collisions at home plate. Sources told ESPN’s Buster Olney that the measure, designed to improve player safety, may come as soon as the 2014 season, but will definitely happen by 2015.
What do you think of Corey Hart signing with Seattle? How big of an impact will Hart have at the plate for the Mariners?
