New comment rules

Many users have complained that comments on posts have gotten too numerous and are often off-topic.

So, starting Jan. 3, 2005, there will be three changes:
· Each post will list topics related to it that you can discuss. Any comments not related directly to the post or those topics may be deleted. As always, posts that do not follow our Terms of Service may be deleted.
· Some posts may not allow comments.
· Comments on each post will be closed post after two to three days (more if constructive, intelligent discussion is going on -- fewer if not). This also will prevent spam on older posts.

Please use our Mariners Forum for general baseball or Mariners discussions.

Ichiro still popular

Dentsu Inc., Japan's biggest ad agency, has released its annual top 10 hit list. Japanese players in MLB, Ichiro in particular, came in at #2 on the list. Coming in at #1 were large flat-screen TVs.

Ichiro's quest for the hit record also came in at #2 on the Daily Yomiuri's Top 20 Japan Sports Stories of 2004.

Just say no

Did anybody else read the list of available free agent pitchers in Dave Andriesen's article today? I knew the pickings were slim, but that list is just scary. Believe it or not, Ryan Franklin is probably a better option than anybody on that list except for Odalis Perez.

2004 VORP
Odalis Perez 49.7
Ryan Franklin 22.7
Aaron Sele 7.4
Scott Schoeneweis 4.0
Ismael Valdez 3.9
Todd Ritchie -3.5
Shawn Estes -3.6
Darren Oliver -6.6
Derek Lowe -11.5
Steve Sparks -11.8
Esteban Loaiza -13.6
Hideo Nomo -23.2

New column on seattlepi.com

Local blogger and writer Derek Zumsteg, one of the co-founders of the "U.S.S. Mariner," has been retained by seattlepi.com to write a weekly column from a fresh perspective.

Read his first dispatch at www.seattlepi.com/baseball/204905_offwall22.html.

M's non-tender two

The Mariners did not tender contract offers to Luis Ugueto or Rett Johnson. They are now considered free agents.

· Complete list of non-tendered players

A trade and other moves

The Mariners have acquired right-handed pitcher Sean Green from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Aaron Taylor. This move saves the Mariners a spot on their 40-man roster and provides the Rockies with a potential arm for their bullpen.

Green, 25, was selected by the Rockies in the 12th round of the 2000 amateur draft. He was 4-3 with a 3.03 ERA in 52 games last season at AA Tulsa.

Taylor spent most of 2004 recovering from a shoulder injury.

The team also designated right-handed pitcher Rett Johnson for assignment. The once promising prospect missed most of last season due to personal issues.

These moves, along with Ron Villone accepting arbitration, leave the 40-man roster full at 40 players.

Villone accepts arbitration

In a move that will make hardcore fans sigh and others just shrug their shoulders, Ron Villone has accepted salary arbitration with the Mariners. He was one of only three, Placido Polanco and Roger Clemens being the others, to accept arbitration.

Villone expects to finalize a deal before it comes to that though. The left-hander said he and the Mariners "are not that far apart" on a two-year contract.

Beltre signing official

The Mariners have agreed to terms on a five-year contract with free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre.

"Adrian is one of the best young position players in baseball," Bill Bavasi said. "He plays Gold Glove caliber defense and is an offensive force. In addition, he is a perfect fit for our goal of building for 2005 and beyond."

Beltre finished among the NL leaders in almost every offensive category last season, finished second in the National League MVP balloting, won a Silver Slugger and the Humanitarian Award.

Ugueto DFA'ed

The Mariners have designated infielder Luis Ugueto for assignment. The team now has 10 days to trade, assign to the minors or release Ugueto.

The move makes room for Richie Sexson on the 40-man roster.

Expect a similar move or a trade in the next couple of days if the M's have indeed signed Adrian Beltre.

Hudson traded

In other AL West news, Tim Hudson has been traded by the Oakland A's to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for outfielder Charles Thomas, southpaw Dan Meyer and right-hander Juan Cruz.

Beltre a Mariner?

According to multiple sources, the Mariners have agreed to a five-year contract with Adrian Beltre. Ken Rosenthal of Sporting News is reporting the contract is worth $64 million.

Peter Gammons also notes that the Dodgers offered a longer contract, but at less money per year.

Reaction from other bloggers and columnists:
· Jeff Shaw (Mariner Musings)
· Jeff Sullivan (Leone for Third)
· Mariners Optimist
· Dave Cameron (U.S.S. Mariner)
· Derek Zumsteg (U.S.S. Mariner)
· Pearl Gates (an Angels blog)
· Wrigley Ravings (a Cubs blog)
· Buster Olney (ESPN)
· Baseball Musings
· BaseballMuse

More reaction to Sexson deal

A few more weigh in on the signing of Richie Sexson:

· John Levesque (P-I)
· Jim Moore (P-I)
· Peter White (Mariner Musings)
· Derek Zumsteg #2 (U.S.S. Mariner)
· Mariners Optimist
· Mariner Morsels
· Hope Springs Eternal
· Baseball Musings
· The Fan
· MLB.com
· BartCopSports
· Factory of Infinite Bliss

The general consensus is that this was probably not the smartest move for the Mariners. By the last year or two of his contract, it is quite unlikely that Sexson will be worth the $14 million the Mariners will be paying him.

Sexson contract details

The AP is reporting that Sexson will be paid a $6 million signing bonus, $4.5 million next season, $11.5 million in 2006 and $14 million in each of the final two seasons.

Seems like a LOT of money and years to me for a person coming off a major injury (especially considering the M's medical staff has a far less than perfect history).

Other views:
· Mariner Musings (#2)
· Sports and Bremertonians
· Leone for Third
· Nice Guys Finish Third

Sexson signed, sealed & delivered

The Mariners have agreed to terms on a four-year contract with Richie Sexson.

"We have stated from the outset that our primary goal this off-season was to add offense," Bill Bavasi said. "Richie was one of the premier free agents available on the market and we are extremely pleased to be able to add him to our club for 2005 and beyond."

Sexson currently resides in Vancouver, Wash. He was born in Portland and graduated from Prairie High School in Brush Prairie, Wash.

Sexson should help provide some power to a lineup that could certainly use it. There are serious concerns, however, about his surgically repaired shoulder.

· Career stats

Adios, Pedro

Mariner fans should be happy that Pedro Martinez is leaving the American League (although, as one of our readers pointed out, they could face him in interleague play).

His career stats against the Mariners:
· 13-0 in 13 games
· 1.30 ERA
· 130 K's in 97 IP (12 K/9)
· 54 hits allowed for a .164 batting average against
· Has more victories against the M's than any other team

More stats are available on CNN/SI.

M's lose pitchers in Rule 5 draft

The Mariners lost pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith to the Minnesota Twins in today's Rule 5 draft. The Aussie native was 5-3 with a 3.79 ERA last year at Inland Empire (career stats). They later lost pitcher Thomas Fulmer in the minor league phase to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

In the Triple-A phase of the draft, the Mariners selected first baseman Aaron Rifken from the New York Yankees, infielder Aaron Herr from the Atlanta Braves and infielder Kervin Jacobo from San Diego.

Rifken, 25, hit 27 doubles and 23 home runs in 127 games last season in class-AA Trenton. He might become this year's version of A.J. Zapp (he is even left-handed).

Herr, 23, hit .272 with 20 doubles in 94 games with double-A Greenville. He is the son of Cardinals star Tommie Herr.

Jacobo, 22, will be converted to a pitcher.

"We are looking forward to trying Jacobo’s best tool – his arm – on the mound," Seattle Mariners Director of Player Development Frank Mattox said. "We’ve had some success the past couple of seasons converting guys, including Rafael Soriano."

M's land Sexson

David Andriesen reports that the Mariners have reached an agreement with Richie Sexson. The deal is contingent upon Sexson passing a physical.

Update on Wright

Update: ESPN is reporting that Wright has passed his second physical and will be a Yankee afterall.

I heard earlier this evening that there may be a hitch in the Yankees' agreement with Jaret Wright. David Andriesen just reported in from the winter meetings that Wright may have failed his physical. Other reports are saying the Yankees want a second opinion on his right shoulder.

Pavano to the Yankees?

It is being reported all over the place that the New York Yankees are close to a four-year, $39 million deal with Carl Pavano [the value of the deal was originally reported at $42 million].

Other news today:
· David Wells has signed with the Boston Red Sox.
· Arthur Rhodes was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Matt Lawton.
· Latest Rumblings from Jayson Stark.

Friday signings

It has been a pretty quiet day so far with only a couple of mid-level free agents signing new contracts.

Pitcher Russ Ortiz agreed to a four-year, $33 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Texas Rangers came to terms with Richard Hidalgo on a one-year, $5 million contract.

Signings and other updates

· Troy Glaus has signed a four-year, $45 million deal with Arizona. The Mariners were believed to be interested in Glaus' services.

"I didn't come here to lose," Glaus said.

Well, Troy, you may have to get used to it.

· Jermaine Dye agreed to a two-year, $10.5 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.

· Jeff Kent agreed to a two-year deal with the Dodgers.

· Jim Caple has a very good piece today on the failures of the Mariners in the past to spend money when they needed to.

Caple later makes some suggestions, and I particularly like his take on Adrian Beltre and Carlos Beltran:

"And the Mariners will pursue them ... just as soon as Starbucks lowers its coffee prices."

· From all indications, there will be more action at the winter meetings than normal. Stay tuned!

Villone offered arbitration

The Mariners have offered salary arbitration to pitcher Ron Villone.

He has until Dec. 19 to accept or reject arbitration. The team can also continue negotiating with the left-hander until Jan. 8.

Status of some other free agents:
Offered arbitration - Carl Pavano, Adrian Beltre, David Wells, Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Jason Varitek, Orlando Cabrera, Richie Sexson, Carlos Beltran, Roger Clemens, Odalis Perez, Jon Lieber, Placido Polanco

Not offered arbitration - Carlos Delgado, J.D. Drew, Al Leiter, Richard Hidalgo, Eric Milton (rumored to be close to signing with the Yankees), Kevin Millwood, Magglio Ordonez, Dustin Hermanson, Robb Nen, Jeromy Burnitz, Jeff Kent, Jermaine Dye, Troy Glaus

Re-signed - Matt Morris, Nomar Garciaparra, Brad Radke

Cross off Wright

You can cross pitcher Jaret Wright off the wish list of the Mariners.

He has reported reached a deal with the New York Yankees. It is believed the contract is similar to the 3-year, $22.5 million contract Kris Benson signed with the Mets.

Decision Tracker 2005

I've just launched the first version of Decision Tracker 2005.

For those who didn't see last season's Decision Tracker, it showed stats for players signed or let go by the Mariners and players the team showed an interest in during the off-season.

For now, Decision Tracker 2005 shows stats for the 2004 season. Once the season starts, it will be switched over so you can track this year's crop of signings and free agents through the year.

I'll continue to update Tracker through the off-season as signings occur and rumors swirl. You can access it at any time by clicking the link at the top of the right column on nearly all of this blog's pages.

Wilson signed

The Mariners have re-signed Dan Wilson to a one-year contract. The AP is reporting that the deal is worth $1.75 million.

"Bringing Dan back was important to us," said General Manager Bill Bavasi. "His veteran leadership and the way he handles the pitching staff are integral parts of our ballclub, and he did a great job working with Olivo last season."

Minor league managers

The Mariners have announced the managers for their minor league teams.

Tacoma's Dan Rohn, San Antonio's Dave Brundage, Inland Empire's Daren Brown and Everett's Pedro Grifol are all returning to their positions. New managers include Scott Steinmann in Wisconsin and Dana Williams in Peoria.

M's hire scout in Japan

Yasushi Yamamoto has been named the Mariners first full-time scout in Japan. He will scout Nippon Professional Baseball, as well as amateur players in Japan.

Yamamoto timeline:
· Spent 10 years (1994-2004) working with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes of Japan’s Pacific League as an area scout in Kantou.
· Eldest son of Kazuto Tsuruoka, the manager of the Nankai Hawks from 1946-1968.
· Longtime amateur baseball manager.
· Drafted in the 12th round by the Nankai Hawks in 1967, but did not sign. He played instead with Nippon Gakki company team.