Updated Nov 11, 2009 - 9:26 pm

The Kid Is Back! And Everybody's Talking About It

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The Mariners signed Ken Griffey Jr. for 2010 and I couldn't be happier about it. Iconic figures have their place in the Seattle sports world - tell me I'm wrong. You're picturing them in your head right now.

The thing is though, that where Griffey stands is beyond just the fans he brings to the ball park. He had a tremendous impact on the clubhouse this year, and I think he'll do the same exact thing in 2010.

Not everyone, however, agreed with me, particularly Keith Law, of ESPN.com. Keith posted the following regarding Griffey's return today:

Griffey not worth it

"He's just about useless as a player now, barely worth his roster spot, let alone the salary he'll be paid. I assume this was forced on GM Jack Zduriencik by ownership; if I was a GM and ownership tried to force an old, injury-prone, hostage-taking player like Griffey on me, I'd quit. You can't build a winning team playing silly sentimental games with players whose suns set eons ago."

Geez, Keith - tell us what you really think. Despite what Mr. Law had to say, though, I couldn't help but think there were those who disagreed. Enter, Mr. Credibility, the one and only Peter Gammons!

Peter was quick to dispel Law's statement. "There is a place in baseball for sentiment. Is this something th fans like? Yes. But on the other hand, he was so great in the clubhouse last year that it's a no-lose situation."

But Griffey is only one piece of the puzzle. I was curious as to what Peter thought the Mariners would continue to do this off-season. Regarding the one guy everyone's talking about, I asked him what the chances of keeping King Felix looked like.

"I think pretty good. It's a great park to pitch in, he's grown up in that organization and the Mariners have money."

He also thinks the Mariners will be in the conversation regarding some big name free agents and trade potentials. "I think they could be a major player for someone like (John) Lackey. Or maybe they take Bronson Arroyo - they could probably get him for nothing, and he'd be a very solid 200 inning guy behind Hernandez."

Sounds good to me! If that's what Jack wants to do, I don't see anything stopping him. He's a man that gets things done.

In addition, Peter and I talked about Franklin Gutierrez, and his glaring omission from the Glove Glove winners. Putting it perfectly, "Franklin Gutierrez, graded better than any outfielder in baseball - that was embarrassing."

Looking ahead

So what will Ken Griffey Jr. look like in 2010? His former teammate, Jay Buhner, spent some time on the airwaves with me today. He claims Griffey's looking to get mean and lean!

"I think he's got one more year in him and I think he's fired up about it. He's going to do everything he can to get ready so when he goes into spring training he's ready to go."

And what will his role be next year? I asked ESPN's Tim Kurkjian that question when he came on the show today, and though he'll be on the 25-man roster, Griffey won't get the same amount of time he saw in 2009.

"His health will have to do with it. I think he'll be a part time player, but a productive one. Certainly one with some power."

While we're looking ahead, I should mention that the man who closed the deal himself, Jack Zduriencik, was kind enough to spend some time with me to talk about Griffey and the Mariners in 2010.

First of all, of course, he had to talk about how happy he is to have Griffey back. "The great thing with him is that he wanted to be a part of this turnaround here, he wanted to contribute back to a club who gave him his start. We're all very happy."

Apparently the feeling is mutual, as Jack explained the voicemail he received from Griffey today. "Call me, I'm very, very happy."

Regarding the rest of the off-season transactions, Jack didn't have much to report...yet. "We're just trying to line up our ducks and see who's interested in Seattle. We're going to leave all of our options on the table."

I don't want to get too optimistic here, Seattle, but Jack Zduriencik makes it hard not to. This man knows what he's doing, and I'm on board! Come on - you know you are too. I suppose for now, we just watch and wait until the rest of the 'ducks' fall in place.

I'll tell you what I didn't expect - to wake up on a Wednesday morning and jump on the phone with Peter Gammons, Tim Kurkjian, Jay Buhner and Jack Zduriencik! If you missed any of their interviews, click on their names to listen!

Thoughts on Griffey with the Mariners in 2010? Leave 'em below!

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• EC Henry wrote...

  Griffey's back, that means...

  ... another year of rebuilding. Loved Griffey back in the day, but now... stick a fork in him, he's done. Griffey got his "victory lap" last year. I don't think he has much to add to a major league tema at this point in his career. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Ken Griffey Jr. but it's past time for him to hang it up. What was he hitting last year something like .214. Dude, that's not major league exceptable. And his deffence ain't what it used to be either. I see the fact he's back on the roster as a sign the Mariner's aren't serious about fielding the best team possible for a pennant run in 2010. Hope Griffey has a stellar 2010 season, but I don't see that REALISTICALLY happening. - E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA

  November 12, 2009 7:51 am

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• bpalmer wrote...

  The kid

  Jr might not be the same player as he was 10 years ago, but the kid as we call him here in seattle is a leader, and with a club house of average at best players we need a leader. He knows just as well as we do hes not going to hit 300 and hit 30 home runs but having JR in that club house in 2010 will mean everything to the fans as well as all of these young players that will get the chance to be mentored by the best player in all seattle sports history..

  November 12, 2009 9:44 am

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• ShwaggyD wrote...

  Teaching us all a lesson

  Griffey is teaching us all a life lesson of class humility, and grace as he grows ancient in baseball years. There is no hostage taking so common with other aging athletes unwilling to recognize their declining physical skills. No, Griffey recognizes the obvious which is that he no longer is capable of doing all he could once do, but IS capable of being an emotional leader. Every player today knows and respects the future HOFer, and in the steroids tainted era so should every fan as well. This last season Griffey learned how to be a locker room leader and that he loved being in that unique role. His teammates love him and obviously the feeling is mutual. He has reminded/taught them that baseball is a GAME meant to be fun, making the workplace into a fun place to be. Griffey has bought into the Wakamatsu system from day one, and has never complained or shown any problem with not playing every day. I personally think he feels part of the team by the constant playfulness in the dugout, regardless of if he bats.

  November 12, 2009 7:09 pm

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• Pebohead wrote...

  Better him

  taking up the 25th roster spot than somebody totally useless a la Willie Boom Boom, Mike Morse, Rob Johnson etc...

  November 12, 2009 10:57 pm

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• Finn wrote...

  Mr. Credibility

  "Mr. Credibility, the one and only Peter Gammons!" Since when has Gammons become crediable? He is a rumour monger and nothing else.

  November 14, 2009 9:31 am

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