"What's the chances?" Lawton said. "Everything happens for a reason."
Because he tested positive under the 2005 program, Lawton will miss the first 10 days of next season instead of 50 games, the penalty called for under the toughened agreement players and owners adopted under pressure from politicians.
"When somebody first brings the name up, there are a lot of reservations," Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi said. "As with every player you look into everything very closely, and we're satisfied its a one-time deal."
The left-handed-hitting Lawton batted a combined .254 last season with 13 homers and 53 RBIs in 141 games for Pittsburgh, the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. He was terrible at the end of the season, going 6-for-48 (.125) for the Yankees with two homers and four RBIs. New York did not include him on its playoff roster.
The 34-year-old Lawton, who received a limited no-trade clause, can earn an additional US$1.25 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances and would get the full amount if he has 600.
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