The Mariners declined their 2011 options for Erik Bedard, Russell Branyan and Jose Lopez. The Mariners had a $5MM mutual option with Branyan and an $8MM mutual option with Bedard. Lopez is still arbitration-eligible, but he’s a candidate to be non-tendered next month.
The Mariners also announced that the Diamondbacks claimed righty Brian Sweeney off of waivers. Kevin Towers’ bullpen reconstruction has begun. Sweeney, 36, pitched for the Padres in 2004 and 2006 when Towers was the GM in San Diego. More recently, the right-hander posted a 3.16 ERA with 3.4 K/9 and 1.5 BB/9 in 37 innings for the Mariners this year.
Outfielder Ryan Langerhans and catcher Guillermo Quiroz elected free agency after the Mariners outrighted them to Triple-A. The Mariners also outrighted lefty Ryan Feierabend, lefty Chris Seddon and righty Sean White to Triple-A and all three can become free agents.
Don’t the Ms still need a bat like Branyan’s in the lineup? Another 1 year deal or in-season trade for him, ha
Brian Sweeney…Great guy. He’s from Yonkers!!!! I think he’ll be okay for the D-Backs.
The M’s declining the options for Bedard, Branyan, and Lopez were expected. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the M’s work out a deal with Bedard similar to the one they agreed to for 2010. Branyan will likely re-sign a deal with the M’s like the one he agreed to with the Indians before 2010. And finally, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the M’s trade Lopez, but I think a non-tender would be a waste.
Definitely not a big deal but I see the M’s finally wised up about Bedard. Better (1 yr and $1.5M) late than never!
Good riddance!
Lopez is a waste. Period.
At this point, even the Space Needle isn’t safe.
What does that even mean?
It means they have to clean house, and nothing (short of Ichiro) s/b safe.
(The Space Needle reference was hyperbole.)
Ahh, gotchya 😉
I think the space needle is being turned into private housing. So in a twisted way you are very correct!
the mariners should offer Lopez a two year under value contract, something like 2 for 7 or 8. He is 26, I think he has the potential to be a .260/20/80 on a consistant vasis. Nobody hit last year, he had no protection. Look at Guti, had preaty similar numbers. Both of them are not 3 or 4 hole hitters. Put them in the right place in the batting order, give them some protection and watch what happens, people dont be ignorant and just look at the stats!