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Griffey Chooses Mariners Over Braves
9:36pm: C. Trent Rosecrans of 1530 Homer talked to Griffey's agent Brian Goldberg, who confirmed the deal. It was a difficult decision for Griffey, who spoke to Willie Mays and Hank Aaron before deciding. MLB.com's Jim Street has more on the Mays conversation.
8:55pm: Jerry Crasnick has a clarification on the financial details. Street's numbers were just a bit off. Griffey can only earn $2.5MM in incentives -- up to $4.5MM altogether.
8:14pm: Interesting tidbit from Mark Bowman:
Sources have indicated that Griffey's tide turned shortly after he became upset with the fact that The Atlanta-Journal Constitution was reporting that he'd already decided to play for the Braves.
8:05pm: MLB.com's Jim Street has some more information on the contract. It "includes a $2 million base salary and up to $4 million in incentives based on at-bats and attendance." The M's are hoping he'll draw an additional 200,000 fans to Safeco Field this season.
7:51pm: Geoff Baker has some of the financial details:
Ken Griffey Jr. is heading back to the Mariners on a one-year contract, reportedly for a base salary of roughly $2 million and incentive bonuses as well.
7:33pm: ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick has informed MLBTR that Griffey told the Braves of his decision less than an hour ago. He is indeed going to be a Mariner next season.
7:23pm: John Hickey of the Seattle Post-Intellignecer has now confirmed it. Junior is headed back to Seattle.
7:19pm: WSB, an Atlanta-based television station, is reporting that the Ken Griffey Jr. has chosen the Mariners over the Braves.
3:10pm: MLB.com's Mark Bowman has a bit of info, suggesting Griffey is sensitive about offending the Mariners and their fans.
1:17pm: Larry Stone of the Seattle Times says Braves GM Frank Wren expects Griffey's decision "pretty shortly." Bobby Cox said it could be today or tomorrow. Griffey's apparently already passed a physical for both the Braves and Mariners.
1:01pm: The Braves hope for an update from Griffey later today, says Bowman.
11:19am: A WSB-TV (Atlanta) report indicates that Braves officials believe Griffey is leaning toward the Mariners.
9:58am: David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has an update. He believes Griffey has decided to sign with the Braves, and explains Chipper Jones' involvement in the process.
9:06am: MLB.com's Mark Bowman does not believe Griffey has told the Braves his decision yet. It's about time we wrap this thing up, in my opinion.
7:54am: Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says Ken Griffey Jr. was to meet in the evening with the Braves and was expected to sign off on a deal. An announcement is expected today. Many reporters received similar indications yesterday, even with Griffey and his agent insisting nothing was decided.
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