Mariners, Garko agree on one year contract

Not the biggest bat available but Ryan Garko fits the Mariners perfectly. On Monday the former Indian and Giant came to an agreement with the Seattle Mariners on a one year contract worth 550,000.

Garko can earn another 525,000 in bonuses if he makes 600 plate appearances, something Garko has never done in his career.

With the addition of Garko to the Mariners roster he figures to be in competition with Casey Kotchman for the starting first baseman in 2010 as well as a platoon in LF, DH, 1B and a last ditch catcher should the M's need one, which doesn't look likely.

In a conference call with the Seattle media Monday Garko explained his reasoning for choosing Seattle.

"It's pretty obvious I'm here to help against left-handed pitching, whether as a first baseman or DH, and be around to catch if the situation comes up."

Garko is a career .278 hitter with 55 career homeruns and a .351 OBP to go along with a career .441 slugging percentage.

With the addition of Ryan Garko to the Mariners lineup, they now have created a log jam of outfield/infield talent going into spring training.

Currently on the projected bench would be Michael Saunders, Ryan Langerhans, Ken Griffey Jr. (DH), Jack Hannahan, Matt Tuiasosopo, Mike Carp, and either or Ryan Garko/Casey Kotchman, unless they decided to split time this season at first base.

The Mariners still have one or two more moves to make regarding their starting rotation with Erik Bedard and Jarrod Washburn still unsigned free agents.

Bedard looks to do what Ben Sheets did. Take a year off from baseball, get 100 percent healthy and then sign a $8-$10 million dollar contract in 2011.

Jarrod Washburn on the other hand has been linked in recent days to be high on the Mariners list, and Washburn would prefer to reup with Seattle considering his first half stats before being traded to Detroit last season.

He turned down a one year, $5 million dollar offer from the Minnesota Twins so it could be that he either ways $6+ million on a one year deal OR he wants to sign with Seattle for $5 million.

So the next move to watch out for is Jarrod Washburn to the Seattle Mariners.

NOTE: the Mariners designated RHP Gaby Hernandez for assignment to make room for Garko.

Mariners, Byrnes agree on one-year contract

On Friday the Mariners and GM Jack Zduriencik went back to his "buy low, end up high" mentality when the team came to an agreement on a one year contract with free agent outfielder Eric Byrnes.

Byrnes, who turns 34 in February of this year, will be entering his tenth year in the majors, with his third team in his career.

The signing of Byrnes gives the Mariners a much needed right-handed bat to most likely come off the bench this season.

In 2009 Byrnes played in only 84 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks with eight homeruns, 26 runs, 54 hits and 31 RBI's.

Byrnes has a career .321 OBP, .442 slugging percentage and a .763 OPS.

Eric Byrnes is out to prove to the Mariners and the rest of the league that he is once again healthy, something he hasn't been in two years since he signed a three year $30 million dollar contract with the Diamondbacks.

Byrnes said in a conference call with Seattle reporters that he was "I just needed a team to believe in me half as much as I believe in myself".

With the Seattle Mariners Brynes he feels like he has that belief.

The addition of Byrnes adds another notable name to the list of top off season acquisitions with the likes of Chone Figgins, Cliff Lee, Milton Bradley, Casey Kotchman as well as the extensions of Felix Hernandez and Franklin Gutierrez.

With this "believe big" motto for 2010 it's clear that Don Wakamatsu and Jack Zduriencik are doing more than aiming for a division title in 2010.

NOTE: The Mariners designated Tommy Everidge for assignment to make room for Byrnes on the roster.

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Derek Lowe a Fit For The Seattle Mariners?

As the hot stove season moves alone the talent level and the big names start to come off the market. This week Jason Bay, the second best hitter on the free agent market was plucked off the market when Bay and the New York Mets came to an agreement on a four year, $66 million dollar contract with an "easy vesting option" that can push the contract to $80 million over five years.

That leaves Cardinals/A's left fielder Matt Halliday as the main headline hitter left on the free agent market.

There is a pretty weak crop of starting pitchers left on the free agent market with Joel Pineiro, Ben Sheets, Jarrod Washburn, Aroldis Chapman and Erik Bedard all make up the decent crop of remaining free agent starting pitchers.

So that leaves the trade market for teams, including the Mariners to find a starting pitcher. The Braves have already moved Javier Vazquez to the Yankees. The Phillies and Mariners were involved in a monumental blockbuster trade which sent Roy Halliday to the Phillies and Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners.

That leaves Braves SP Derek Lowe, Reds SP Aaron Harang, and possibly Bronson Arroyo but if the Reds move Harang they won't move Arroyo. So one of the two Reds starting pitchers and Derek Lowe remain the top pitchers on the trading block.

Now the Seattle Mariners and GM Jack Zduriencik have stated this off season that they want to acquire two top tier starting pitchers to add to the rotation behind Cy Young runner up Felix Hernandez.

Zduriencik has already acquired one top end starter in Cliff Lee and his search is now to find a suitable No 3. starter behind Felix and Cliff Lee.

Derek Lowe would be a viable option as a No 3. starter that Zduriencik could look to acquire.

The Braves, if they decided to move Lowe want to dump the majority of his $15 million dollar salary and are willing to receive major league players as well as maybe a prospect to get a deal done involving Lowe.

The Mariners as it stands right now would have a starting rotation like this.

Felix Hernandez
Cliff Lee
Ryan Rowland-Smith
Ian Snell
Doug Fister

The Mariners and GM Jack Zduriencik are looking for a solid 15 wins pitcher to put in that third slot so that they can move down Rowland-Smith and Snell.

Derek Lowe would be the perfect fit for the Mariners. Lowe is a ground ball pitcher and in a park like Safeco that's a wonderful trait to have. Not only would Lowe work great in a pitchers park like Safeco but the Mariners also have one of if not the best defensive infield in baseball with Chone Figgins (3B), Jack Wilson (SS), Jose Lopez at 2B and other fill in players around the diamond.

Now the only tricky part in this deal would be how the Mariners can offset the contract of Lowe who stands to make $15 million in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The Mariners could work a deal with the Braves involving OF Milton Bradley, who stands to make $9 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2011.

Most likely the Mariners would have the Braves compensate for the missing $6 million between Lowe's contract and Bradley's contract. Most likely the Mariners would have to throw in a mid level prospect to get the Braves to take $6-8 million of Lowe's salary for the deal to become complete.

So as the title of the article asks is Derek Lowe a fit for the Seattle Mariners? Well with a few tweaks in a possible trade the answer would be yes.

Lowe would be a welcome addition to the Mariners starting rotation and be a great No 3. starter behind Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee.

Over the last eight seasons Derek Lowe has averaged 206 IP, 127 K's, 58 BB's and 15 wins each season.

Breaking Down The Morrow-League Trade

The Mariners finalized the Brandon Morrow for Brandon League and Johermyn Chavez of the Toronto Blue Jays. The trade comes a week after the blockbuster Cliff Lee-Roy Halladay trade which sent prospects from Philadelphia to Toronto.

In that trade Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik sent former No. 1 pick Phillipe Aumont and to other prospects to the Phillies in exchange for SP Cliff Lee. Zduriencik continues to put his impressive finger print on the Mariners franchise by trading or releasing all of former Mariners GM Bill Bavasi players.

Good news for Mariners fans is that Felix Hernandez and Ichiro Suzuki were not brought in by Bavasi.

Now back to the Brandon Morrow- Brandon League trade.

If you look at it on paper it seems like the Jays come out the clear winner but if you did deeper its not as one sided as people are making it out to be.

In his career with the Seattle Mariners, Brandon Morrow has been the guy "who was picked instead of Tim Lineceum", the San Francisco Giants Cy Young winner. In his career Morrow has bounced between being a starting pitcher, relief pitcher and even trying to become a closer last year.

Now mostly to blame for this is former M's GM Bill Bavasi and his staff of clowns but Morrow get's the blame for last season. He said he didn't feel comfortable enough being a starting pitcher so he wanted to become a closer.

Fair enough, he's got the fastball to do it.

Well in a series against the Texas Rangers Brandon Morrow blew two straight saves giving up three homeruns in the process.

Afterwards he was sent down to AAA Tacoma to fix the kinks and develop more. He's never developed into a quality pitcher let alone what people think he can be which is a front line starting pitcher.

Well unless he goes back to single A ball he's just not going to be that big time starting pitcher. Now yes Morrow has shown flashes of greatness with the almost no-hitter against the New York Yankees.

Now for the two players the Mariners will receive in exchange for Morrow, relief pitcher Brandon League and OF Johermyn Chavez (Triple Crown winner in Single A this past season).

League brings an added presents to the Mariners bullpen which was very key to the Mariners success last season. David Aardsma's 38 saves and the rest of the bullpen locking it down.

League brings a great two seem fastball and he's plus groundball pitcher which is great considering the outstanding defense behind him with Chone Figgins, Jack Wilson and others.

League went 3-6 last season with a 4.58 ERA and 76 SO in 67 appearances for the Jays.

The other player the Mariners received in the deal, outfielder Johermyn Chavez is a Jack Zduriencik type of player.

Chavez, a 20 year old who hit .283 with 21 homeruns and 89 RBI's last season for class single A Lansing is an outstanding complete hitter, who still needs to work on a few things before becoming a MLB player.

Luckily for Chavez time is greatly on this side. Chavez's 2009 stats are as follows.

.283 BA, 87 Runs, 144 hits, 21 HR's, 89 RBI's, 40 BB, 137 SO's, .346 OBP, .474 SLG and a .820 OPS.

Chavez will most likely start the season in class A in either Clinton (with the Lumberjacks) or High A Desert Mavericks.

Chavez is an upgrade over former OF prospect Tyson Gillies who was traded to Philadelphia in the Lee deal.

Look for Jack Zduriencik to continue building for his year, which he's pick as 2010.

Mike Holmgren Turns Down Seahawks GM Offer, Clearing Path for Browns Job

This is news coming down within the hour. The city of Seattle has been shining bright on the sports map these past two weeks with the acquisitions of Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee and 2008 ASG MVP Milton Bradley to the Seattle Mariners (MLB) and having Jake Locker officially announce that he would return to the University of Washington for his senior season it seemed like something from the Seahawks had to come.

Since announcing that he wanted to return to the game he left two years ago after he retired as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, Mike Holmgren wanted to become the next GM/EVP of the Seattle Seahawks if they decided to offer the job.

Well after spending two days with the Cleveland Browns and their owner Randy Lerner about having Holmgren possibly becoming their "Czar" of Football Operations. Holmgren left Cleveland without a contract offer, an agreement and according to reports they did not talk money.

That left the door slightly open for Tod Leiweke and Paul Allen to offer the job to Mike Holmgren. Leiweke has become Seattle's most hated sports related player/person the last few weeks with the way he's decided to run the GM search along with Spencer Stuart, a New York firm.

It was also reported this past week that the Seahawks have a list of 10 possible candidates for their GM position and Holmgren was not on that list.

Now tonight Seattle Times reporter Danny O'Neil reported that Mike Holmgren will not rejoin the Seattle Seahawks after turning down the teams offer of a "senior leadership position" meaning their GM position.

Tod Leiweke said in the report that "Mike has declined our offer to rejoin the team given the structure we proposed. We hold Mike in high regard and wish the Holmgren family the very best with their new horizons."

As I reported last week with four possible candidates for the Seahawks GM position. Kevin Colbert was unavailable for comment about the Seahawks and their GM opening. Holmgren stated "I'd love a chance to become the GM if they decide to reach out to me" about the Seahawks GM opening. Well that can be checked off on their list.

Eagles GM Tom Heckert and Randy Mueller could also not be available for comment about the Seahawks opening.

This news clears the path for Mike Holmgren to accept the Cleveland Browns offer of "Czar" of Football.

Now the question must be asked, who are the other nine on the Seahawks supposed list of candidates. Knowing Tod Leiweke, who is becoming less and less popular in Seattle, could wind up with no other option that current interim GM Ruston Webster, who interview for the position this past week.

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What The Additions of Cliff Lee and Milton Bradley Mean For The Mariners

What an off season it's been for the Seattle Mariners and their general manager Jack
Zduriencik.

The Mariners, since the conclusion of the Winter Meetings in Indy have acquired Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee and OF Milton Bradley. At the Winter Meetings the Mariners and third baseman Chone Figgins came to terms on a four year, $32 million dollar contract with an option for a fifth year.

Now after reviewing the Chone Figgins signing I've moved on to reviewing the two recent acquisitions in Cliff Lee and Milton Bradley and what both mean for the Seattle Mariners in 2010.

Cliff Lee: 14-13, 3.22 ERA, 231 IP, 181 SO, 43 BB, 6 CG, 7 K/9, 1.6 BB/9, 4.2 K/BB and a 1.24 WHIP.

Cliff Lee, a 2008 Cy Young award winner played in both the American and National League last season with the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillies respectively.

In the AL Lee posted a 7-9 recorded with the Indians before being dealt in a five player trade to the Phillies.

In the National League Lee posted an astounding 7-4 record, which doesn't sound like much but when you break down all of his performances his record could have been 11-0.

With Lee now heading back the American League, in a pitchers friendly ballpark in Safeco Field there won't be any problems for the former Cy Young winner.

Lee dominated in a hitters ballpark in Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia so with the defense in Seattle, added to the size of the ballpark there shouldn't be any problem for Lee.

The Mariners defense is all-star caliber with Ichiro and Franklin Gutierrez in the outfield and Chone Figgins, Jack Wilson and Jose Lopez in the infield Lee don’t have to worry about having a lackluster defense behind him.

One thing that Cliff Lee, as well as Milton Bradley doesn’t have to worry about is the press in Seattle. There is really on pressure unless for some bizarre reason the M's tank as bad as the Seahawks are right now.

Another added bonus for Lee is that when he was in Philadelphia he was their ACE and he was the man. In Seattle he's got the King in front of him in King Felix Hernandez who went 19-5 in 2008, and really had the better performance to win the Cy Young.

My prediction for Cliff Lee would be something along these lines: 18-20 wins, 2.35 ERA, 210 SO and maybe 240 IP.

I also think, which some people outside of Seattle will argue, that Cliff Lee will sign a long term deal in Seattle with the Mariners making the playoffs in 2010.

Milton Bradley: .257 avg, 12 HR's, 40 RBI's, .378 OBP, 61 R, 101 hits, 66 BB, 95 SO, .397 slugging percentage and a.775 OPS.

Bradley signed a three year $30 million dollar contract last year with the Chicago Cubs after coming off of one of his best seasons. Since the signing he's hated Chicago and the Cubs fans. Then again who wouldn't when the Cubs haven’t been in style since Gold was discovered in 1909.

Bradley never really fit in with the Cubs so trading him to the Seattle Mariners, who have a very supportive fan base, unless your name is Bill Bavasi or Carlos Silva as well as great team chemistry.

Throughout his career Bradley has always done better in the American League. Here is his AL/NL comparison in his career.

American League: 6 years, 450 games, 455 hits, 249 runs, 57 HR's, 230 RBI's, .294 BA, .390 OBP, .481 slugging percentage and a .871 OPS.

National League: 6 years, 491 games, 449 hits, 252 runs, 58 HR's, 209 RBI's, .263 BA, .353 OBP, .422 slugging percentage, and a .775 OPS.

As the stats show, Bradley has done better in the American League in 41 fewer games.

With Bradley being a switch hitter and playing DH and LF in 2010 I expect his numbers will be where they usually are in the AL.

.290 BA, 25-30 HR's and 95 RBI's. He'll hit in the 4-6 range in the lineup.

The major thing about both of these trades that brought Cliff Lee and Milton Bradley to Seattle is that the Mariners come out clear winners in both trades.

And Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said he's still not done. That's what scares me. What else is left for GMZ to do? Wait and see.

Wise Money: Mariners sign 3B Figgins to 4-year Deal

Around this time last year, Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik pulled off his first big move when he pulled the trigger on a three team, 12 player deal which sent closer JJ Putz to the Mets and OF Franklin Gutierrez, Endy Chavez, Mike Carp and four others to Mariners.

With that move, his nickname became "trader Jack". Now this off season is an entirely new ball game.

Last off season Zduriencik didn't have a lot of money and flexibility to work with and plus he was just taking over. Now Zduriencik has around $50 million free to spend this off season, the most by any club.

Now Jack Zduriencik won't go mad with the amount of money he has available to him but he will use more than half of that on free agents and arbitration raises. Then there is also Felix Hernandez, who has been talking with Zduriencik about a long term contract.

Hernandez's agent, Alan Nero, has said there is no immediate hurry to sign Felix long term. S.I's Jon Heyman said Felix will most likely seek a contract in the neighborhood of six years and around $100 million.

If there is an off season when the Mariners should sign Hernandez long term it would be this off season. They just came off an incredible 21 game swing, Felix was a few games from winning the Cy Young and the Mariners have the money to spend.

Back on subject with the announcement that the Seattle Mariners have officially signed former LA Angles third baseman Chone Figgins to a four year, $36 million dollar contract. The contract also reportedly includes a vesting option in 2014 which could push the grand total to $45 million.

Right away this is a win-win signing for the Seattle Mariners and just keeps adding to the great resume of Jack Zduriencik.

Win one: The Mariners filled their hole a third base with an outstanding defensive player who also fits the offensive mold of speed and hitting without great power.

Win two: The Mariners strengthen their club while weakening division rival LA Angles. Figgings has been a great leadoff hitter for the Angles for two years straight. The only in-house replacement would be long time prospect Brandon Wood who is the anti Chone Figgins.

High strikeout total, below average defense and hits for power but not consistently.

Here is a Figgins-Wood comparison. (Wood's numbers are AAA).

Brandon Wood: 99 games, 113 hits, 22 HR, 65 runs, 72 RBI's, 36 BB and 80 SO. Indepth stats : BB% 8.5, SO% 20.7, .353 OBP and 4.0 speed.

Chone Figgins: 158 games, .298 BA, 183 hits, 5 HR, 114 runs, 54 RBI's, 101 BB and 114 SO. In-depth stats: BB% 14.1, SO% 18.5, .395 OBP and 6.7 speed.

The clear winner would be Chone Figgings.

Those stats, along with the personality of Figgings fits the Jack Zduriencik to a T. The price is just right at $36 million and he will fit great either in front of or behind right fielder Ichiro Suzuki in the Mariners lineup.

Look for Seattle's next move to be for either a starting pitcher like John Lackey or Rich Harden or a first baseman like Nick Johnson, Jason Bay or possibly Jermaine Dye if he goes low price.