Mariners name pitching, bullpen coaches Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - The Seattle Mariners Wednesday named Rick Adair
pitching coach and John Wetteland bullpen coach.
The two additions to new manager Don Wakamatsu's 2009 staff join bench coach
Ty Van Burkleo and first base coach Lee Tinsley, with the third base coach and
hitting coach slots still undetermined.
Adair, 50, joins the Mariners after serving the last four seasons as the minor
league pitching coordinator for the Texas Rangers. Adair had two previous
stints as a major league pitching coach, working for the Cleveland Indians in
1992 and 1993 and the ... More...
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports believes Raul Ibanez may be out of the Braves' price range. Rosenthal also does not believe the club is interested in Adam Dunn.
Our View:The Braves could opt to trade infielder Kelly Johnson to fill a void in their outfield. Ibanez was offered arbitration by Seattle, so Atlanta would have to part with draft picks to sign him.
The Mariners have made J.J. Putz available and the club is open to trade discussions for the former elite closer, according to the NY Post.
Our View:The Mets and Indians are among the teams interested in Putz, who is due $5 million next season with an $8.6 million option in 2010 or a $1 million buyout. Putz could regain his magic and once again rank among the top closers in the majors, if he proves to be healthy.
The Seattle Mariners have signed Russell Branyan to a one-year contract, according to the Tacoma News Tribune.
Our View:Branyan is a spare part and has little to no fantasy relevance. He's known for his power, but that comes with a price - strikeouts, and a ton of them. In 2,000 career at-bats, he's struck out 797 times - or 40 percent of his ABs.
