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MLB Rumors 2012: Seattle Likes Brent Lillibridge, But He's Not Available

Seattle Mariners GM Jeff Zduriencik "would love" to get White Sox utility player Brent Lillibridge but Chicago doesn't have any interest in dealing the Washington native, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The White Sox acquired Lillibridge from Atlanta in the Javier Vazquez trade and he emerged as a key role player with the team last season.

Lillibridge, 28, went through the minor leagues playing shortstop, but he spent most of 2011 split between the three outfield positions and first base. While he still struggled with strikeouts like he always has, he cut them down enough to show some major power for Chicago last season, bombing 13 home runs in just 216 plate appearances.

With an overall line of .258/.340/.505, Lillibridge was worth 1.3 WAR in roughly one-third of a season even while offering little defensive value, so he's clearly going to get some significant wear and tear off the bench with the White Sox this season. Given that he's under team control long-term, the Mariners would need to give up something of pretty good value to even start the discussion.

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