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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, November 12, 2009 M’s bring back Griffey for 2010 Although a lightweight hitter in 2009, his heavyweight clubhouse presence makes him valuable to the franchise. By Kirby Arnold Herald Writer Until Ken Griffey Jr.’s bat produces more than it did this year for the Seattle Mariners, his impact on a team needing to ramp up its offense will continue to stir debate. What nobody disputes was Griffey’s influence around a group of young players and veterans who benefitted from the stability of a superstar to make a 24-victory improvement over the previous season. That factor outweighed the uncertainty over Griffey’s productivity at age 40, and the Mariners announced Wednesday that they have agreed with him on a contract for the 2010 season. “There’s so many things that go beyond the box scores,” general manager Jack Zduriencik said. Griffey played 117 games and got 387 at-bats in 2009, producing a .214 average, 19 home runs and 57 runs batted in. He led the team with 63 walks. Beyond the statistics, Griffey’s humor and experience from 20 years in the big leagues helped unite a clubhouse that was marred by conflict among players in 2008. “My girlfriend sent me a text with the news, and I got chills right away,” relief pitcher Mark Lowe said. “Being my favorite player growing up, I wanted him to come back. It’s exciting to know I’ll get to spend another seven months with the guy and laugh every single day.” Closer David Aardsma said the Mariners could take a step backward if Griffey weren’t a part of the team next year. “It would be a loss for that to be a one-year thing,” Aardsma said. “We’re better as a team and as people with him around.” Manager Don Wakamatsu emphasized that Griffey’s influence didn’t extend just to the young players needing guidance through the ups and downs of the season. Wakamatsu noted that Griffey helped right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, the target of much clubhouse angst last year, feel at-ease. “His relationship with Ichiro, that’s probably the biggest dynamic of all,” Wakamatsu said. “Other players were able to feed off him.” Teammates carried Griffey off the field after the final game Oct. 4, when it wasn’t certain he would play again. Griffey said after that game that he wanted to play another year, although he wasn’t sure if the Mariners were interested in having him back. Griffey and his agent, Brian Goldberg, met with Mariners executives during the final weekend of the season and made their position clear: Playing time and pay would not be roadblocks to a return in 2010, even if Griffey’s role diminished significantly. “He was very humble,” Zduriencik said. “What he said was, ‘If you will have me back, I want to be a part of this.’ We talked about roles, and Ken said, ‘I’m part of a 25-man club and I’ll have a role on this club.’ He wasn’t in any way shape or form trying to dictate anything. What he made clear, quite frankly, was that he wanted to be part of this organization and let the manger be the manager, the general manager be the general manager and the player be the player.” Griffey made $3.15 million this year on a contract that included a $2 million salary plus incentives based on plate appearances and home attendance. The Mariners don’t announce contract figures, although Griffey’s deal for 2010 is not believed to include the attendance incentives that it did this year. He will go into the 2010 with more questions about his left knee after having a bone spur removed last month. In October, 2008, Griffey underwent surgery to repair partially torn cartilage and meniscus in the same knee and he suffered periods of pain and swelling during the season that limited him almost exclusively to a DH role. Although Griffey didn’t have a physical exam before this deal was put together, Zduriencik said he was comfortable with the medical reports from Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the Cincinnati doctor who operated on Griffey’s knee. “At this moment in time, we feel really good about everything,” Zduriencik said. “There didn’t seem to be anything to be overly concerned about.” How much will Griffey play next year? Other offseason acquisitions will dictate that because the Mariners have openings at three of their four infield positions, plus left field. Wakamatsu said the key factors for Griffey will be his health and performance. “It will be determined by Junior and how well his body functions,” Wakamatsu said. “If he’s hitting and he’s moving well and the knee’s not a factor, I expect some good things and playing time will come accordingly.” With Griffey locked up for next year, the Mariners will continue to negotiate with the other players they would like to have back. First baseman Russell Branyan turned down a one-year contract offer this week, saying he would like a deal of at least two years. Shortstop Jack Wilson, who has an $8.4 million club option with a $600,000 buyout, rejected a multi-year offer. The Mariners have exclusive negotiating rights through Nov. 20 with their six free agents — Branyan, third baseman Adrian Beltre, outfielder Endy Chavez, DH Mike Sweeney and pitchers Erik Bedard and Miguel Batista. Zduriencik refused to comment on free agents or negotiations. Read Kirby Arnold’s blog on the Mariners at www.heraldnet.com/marinersblog. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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