With the winter meetings just around the corner, the Mariners chose to offer thirdbaseman Adrian Beltre. What this means is that Beltre can choose to accept and that would lock him into another contract with the Mariners for at least the 2010 season for a salary to be determined between him and the ball club, or if necessary, with a third, un-biased party. However, if Beltre declines, the Mariners will receive an additional pick in the 2010 draft during a supplemental round.
Essentially, the Mariners stand to come out on top in this situation. Beltre is one of the finest defensive players at third and very capable of being an offensive force to reckon with. Safeco's dimensions do not favor right handed sluggers, so many have speculated that he's looking to move to a field where he can plant them in the left bleachers much easier. Plus, several teams (specifically the Phillies and Orioles) have already began to express interest in picking him up, so he is not what you'd call a hard sale.
On the other hand, if Beltre chooses to negotiate a new deal, the Mariners will not have to fill a giant hole on the left side of the infield. It will be hard to find someone of his same defensive caliber and even with a deep left field, Beltre has still managed to have some productive years in Seattle, managing to average 20 homers and about 80 rbis in his seasons in Seattle. It may be a bit of a steep price, but it could payoff to keep him.
Starting pitcher Erik Bedard, however, was not offered arbitration and is probably hitting the road. In each of his seasons, Bedard has only managed to start 15 games and pitch around 80 innings. For the guy who was suppose to add much needed depth and power to the rotation, he's been a giant bust. Injuries have plagued him both years and he's just too expensive to take a chance on. Some clubs, notably Kansas City, have mentioned interest in Bedard, but the Mariners do not appear to want to take the chance of offering him arbitration and risk having to sign him for another lackluster season.
No word, on Chavez, Sweeney, or Batista, but whether or not they sign with Seattle, they do not place into an arbitration category that would bring the Mariners more draft picks if they were to sign elsewhere. The talks between the club and Russell Branyan have not rendered any new info, but it is still believed that the Mariners are attempting to work out some kind of deal with him.
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