Russell Branyan Rumors

Branyan Rejects Mariners' Offer

WEDNESDAY, 12:06pm: The Mariners' initial offer to Branyan included a second-year option, the first baseman told Larry Stone of the Seattle Times. Branyan remains optimistic about re-signing, but he wants two guaranteed years for the first time in his career. TUESDAY, 4:53pm: MLB.com's Jim Street reports that Branyan rejected the team's offer. He'd rather test the free agent market than settle for something less than a two-year deal. Branyan, who hit 31 homers this year, says he would like to return to Seattle. He wants to sign a multi-year deal, however. Street says Wilson appears to have rejected the Mariners'...   Continue Reading

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Mariner Musings: Lackey, Washburn, Bedard, Branyan

Earlier today we learned that Mariners' GM Jack Zduriencik is looking forward to having Felix Hernandez around for the next two years, but the rumors don't stop there... ESPN's Buster Olney writes that the Mariners are a sleeper in the John Lackey sweepstakes. Larry LaRue of The News Tribune says the Mariners have interest in bringing Jarrod Washburn and Erik Bedard back, but they won't overpay. MLB.com's Jim Street reports that Russell Branyan's back is feeling good, and he hopes to return to the Emerald City Mark Feinsand of The NY Daily News basically got a "no comment" out of...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Crosby, Gonzalez, Mariners

More items from a busy opening day of baseball's hot stove season... Consider it a formality, but John Lackey, Matt Holliday, and Jason Bay were among the 79 players filing for free agency today according to MLB.com's Tom Singer. Free agent Bobby Crosby told MLB.com's Mychael Urban that he doesn't expect to be back in Oakland next season. Alex Gonzalez has yet to hear from the Red Sox in regards to whether or not they will exercise his $6MM option for next season, says The Boston Herald's Michael Silverman. Jim Street of MLB.com breaks down Seattle's free agents, noting that...   Continue Reading

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Discussion: Russell Branyan

On December 3rd, new Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik made his first free agent signing: Russell Branyan on a one-year, $1.4MM deal with $350K in incentives. Zduriencik said at the time he was prepared to "give Russell as many at-bats as he's had in his career." That held true, as Branyan racked up 505 plate appearances in 2009. The playing time led to a .251/.347/.520 line with a career-best 31 home runs. However, perhaps due to a back injury, Branyan was only productive for the season's first three months. Based on comments made by Zduriencik and Branyan, interest in a new...   Continue Reading

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Discussion: What's Next For Baltimore?

The Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly details the questions facing a Baltimore team with some young offensive talent, some terrific young pitching on the way, and a lot of extra cash. Connolly writes that while the 64-98 record Baltimore had in 2009 was the third-worst in team history, "there is a sense that the future has promise because of the emergence of young starting pitchers Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman and Brad Bergesen, catcher Matt Wieters and outfielders Nolan Reimold and Felix Pie." Left unsaid, of course, is the emergence of Adam Jones and Nick Markakis continuing to be a tremendous player....   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Gillick, Moronta, Halladay, Rays

Here are some choice links to kick off the afternoon... Former Phillies and Blue Jays GM Pat Gillick is not interested in a return to Toronto, writes ESPN's Buster Olney. However, the 72-year-old would not rule out handling baseball operations for another team down the road. Ben Badler of Baseball America reports that Eladio Moronta - one of the toolsiest players in Latin America - is now eligible to be signed, five months after being suspended for lying about his age. Manager Cito Gaston doesn't see the Blue Jays holding on to Roy Halladay if the team doesn't make other...   Continue Reading

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Fixing The Mets

The New York Post's Joel Sherman offered up some suggestions for shaking things up in the Mets clubhouse this offseason. He worries that Luis Castillo won't be able to replicate his strong 2009 and that Jeff Francoeur (.826 OPS with New York) may not be able to build on his solid second half. Unsurprisingly, his chief concern is the Mets starting rotation. However, Sherman suggests that the Mets first address their other holes before looking at starting pitchers, considering the weak crop available this winter: "Put out strong one-year offers with a 2011 option to a group at each position....   Continue Reading

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Perrotto's Latest: Cubs, White Sox, Chipper, Josh Johnson

The latest from John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus: The Cubs are trying to sign John Grabow and Reed Johnson before they reach free agency. Perrotto says those that know Chipper Jones believe he would actually retire after next season if he can't perform up to his standards. There's a possibility the Marlins will try to deal Josh Johnson this winter even though he won't be a free agent until after 2011. Johnson is not anticipated to take a hometown discount to stay in Florida. Perrotto expects Russell Branyan will re-sign with the Mariners before he reaches free agency. Seems like...   Continue Reading

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Branyan Wants To Return To Seattle In 2010

Russell Branyan would like to return to Seattle next season, according to Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times. Branyan signed a one-year, $1.4MM deal with the Mariners last offseason, and has taken advantage of an increase in playing time in 2009, batting .251/.347/.520 with 31 homers. "I'd love to come back here," Branyan said. "I enjoy playing in this ballpark, I enjoyed getting to play on an every-day basis this year. I'd be excited to entertain the option to come back here next year." While the 33-year-old Branyan is currently on the disabled list and has slumped since the All-Star...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Astros, Branyan, Helton, O's

More links as Colby Rasmus and Pablo Sandoval turn 23... Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle reports that attendance has dropped 12% at Astros games this year and could fall further. Team owner Drayton McLane won't say how much he'll spend on payroll next year. Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says there's room for Russell Branyan on next year's Mariners team. Could $10MM over two years work for both sides? ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick says Todd Helton has a chance at a Hall of Fame plaque, whether or not the first baseman is comfortable discussing his chances at immortality. The...   Continue Reading

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