M's sign Lawton on day he admits to using steroids

The Mariners have agreed to terms with left-handed hitting outfielder Matt Lawton on a one-year contract.

Lawton, 34, who played right field for the Yankees last season, recently admitted to taking steroids. He told Sports Weekly's Bob Nightengale that he took boldenone, a veterinary steroid, last season, just before he was suspended for 10 days for violating baseball's steroids policy.

"I wasn't playing well enough to be on a Little League roster, let alone be on the roster of the New York Yankees," Lawton told Sports Weekly in its current issue. "I just wasn't physically able to do the job. I had never been in the playoff hunt before. So I did something that will always haunt me."

Bill Bavasi announced the hiring through a statement today.

"Matt is a solid left-handed hitter and base stealer who will provide us with depth and flexibility," Bavasi said. "He can help us in a variety of roles, including the ability to play all three outfield positions."

Lawton batted a combined .254 (127x500) with 13 home runs, 53 RBI and 18 steals over 141 games in 2005 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs and Yankees. He made 110 starts in right field and 20 in left last season.

Lawton began the year with Pittsburgh, batting .273 with 10 homers and 44 RBI in 101 games. His 16 steals with the Pirates were second on the team in 2005. Lawton was traded to the Cubs on July 31 for outfielder Jody Gerut. The Yankees acquired him on Aug. 27 in exchange for right-handed pitcher Justin Berg.

A two-time American League All-Star (2000, 2004), Lawton has a career Major League batting average of .267 with 138 home runs, 630 RBI and 165 steals over 1,323 games for the Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, Pirates, Cubs and Yankees. He was originally drafted by Minnesota in the 13th round of the 1992 June draft. Lawton has played 793 games in right field, 385 in left and 109 in center.

Lawton batted .277 over 150 games in 2004 for the Cleveland Indians. He was selected to the American League All-Star team for the second time in his career (also 2000). In 2004, Lawton tied for eighth in the AL with a career-high 109 runs and tied for sixth in the league with 23 steals.