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The Mariners built their 24-win improvement in 2009 on both a renewed focus on defense and finding contributions from cheap, unexpected players. With that in mind, it's no surprise that they approached both Jack Wilson and Russell Branyan about contract extensions, a little more than a week before both players hit the open market. The offer to Wilson was reportedly a multi-year deal that would presumably be for less money per year than the $8.4 million team option that the M's hold on the shortstop. The offer to Branyan was apparently a one-year deal that the slugger has already turned down in hopes of milking a two-year deal out of someone, though he says he'd prefer to remain in Seattle.
Wilson only donned the Mariners' uniform 31 times after being traded from Pittsburgh, but he's widely regarded to be a premium defensive shortstop, when healthy. He's never won a Gold Glove (though he may have had a chance this year had he not switched leagues mid-season), but he was recently named one of the Fielding Bible Award winners for 2009. With GM Jack Zduriencik's focus on defense, it's understandable why he wants Wilson around long-term.
In Branyan, the Mariners found a cheap power source. For just $1.4 million, Branyan homered 31 times and put up an OPS of .867 in 116 games against mostly right-handed pitching. He's right to try and cash in on his big year because he's 33 and he might not get another chance, but on a multiyear deal for presumably a lot more money, he's also a bigger risk given his back problems and tendency to put up very low batting averages and on-base percentages. He may be able to find a two-year deal somewhere, but it probably won't be in Seattle.
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