Mariners' Addition of Russell Branyan Doesn't Preclude Cliff Lee Deal

The Mariners' move late Saturday night to bring back Russell Branyan to play first base and DH is an indication that general manager Jack Zduriencik is still trying to improve the last-place team in the American League West.

It goes too far, however, to believe that that attitude will keep the club's most valuable trade commodity, left-handed starter Cliff Lee, around long term.

The Mariners are playing better, and the deal with Cleveland to bring in Branyan, who hit 31 homers for Seattle last year before being shut down for the final month of the season, gives the club a legitimate home run threat in the middle of the lineup.

But as far back in the West as the Mariners are, they are still likely to move Lee, who leads the AL in ERA at 2.39.

"The message we are trying to send,'' Zduriencik told FanHouse Sunday morning from Milwaukee, where the Mariners are finishing up their final interleague series of the season, "is that we are trying to win as many games as possible.

"Right now [Lee] is part of this club. What happens down the road, we'll have to see.''



Share The Twins, Mets, Rangers and others have been suggested as landing spots for Lee, and Zduriencik is fielding calls daily about the availability of the 2008 AL Cy Young Award-winner he acquired from the Phillies over the winter. At the time, the move, which gave Seattle two stars at the top of the rotation with Lee and Felix Hernandez, was seen as one that vaulted Seattle into the upper echelon of big-league teams.

That didn't pan out, not because the pitchers didn't pitch -- Seattle ranks third in the AL in team ERA -- but because the hitters have been the worst in the league. Coming into Sunday, Seattle is last in the AL in runs scored, homers and slugging percentage and next to last in batting average and on-base percentage.

Branyan's addition won't be a cure-all for the Mariner offense, but Zduriencik said it's a way for the club to build for the future.

"He adds something to our lineup,'' the GM said, "and that's important because this whole club will be returning next year.''

When pressed on that, Zduriencik said he was talking about the team on the field, not necessarily about the pitching staff.

To get Branyan, the Mariners gave the Indians two minor leaguers, infielder Juan Diaz and outfielder Ezequiel Carrera, and that hurt a little, because Carrera especially was a player the Mariners felt would help down the line.

"Giving up younger players is not something I like to do,'' Zduriencik said, "but the impact Russell could have on this club made it worth the risk. You have to check your [talent] inventory and make moves based on that.''

And that's what will happen with Lee. If the Mariners get an offer that includes some solid talent, a deal will go forward. But if as some suggest, clubs will attempt to avoid dealing their best prospects and offer lesser players in an effort to get the lefty, Zduriencik can say no, let Lee continue as a Mariner and get the extra help in the 2011 draft that will come if and when Lee signs elsewhere as a free agent.