Is Griffey Jr. coming back to Seattle?

**Zito75** · 05-13-2008, 12:03 PM

I've heard lots of talk that Junior Griffey could be on his way back to SeaTown. Why? Reds phenom Jay Bruce is tearing up AAA pitching and will be recalled soon... Also Adam Dunn may be traded if the Reds can find a suitor. From a PR perspective, the Mariners would be doing the best possible thing to bring fans out in droves. Plus there is the chance he could actually produce!

**SABR Matt** · 05-13-2008, 12:13 PM

We're 15-25.

So, if the Mariners trade anything useful or demote someone who should be playing (Balentien or Clement) to make room for Griffey, then it's very stupid. However...if they DFA Sexson (or trade him to an NL team for a couple lesser prospects), move Ibanez to first base and Balentien to left field to make way for Griffey...I'm on board for sentimental reasons.

But we're 15-25. We're not buyers at this point.

**themedia** · 05-13-2008, 12:23 PM

For this to be done right, we would need to lose almost nothing (this would probably mean eating a ton of salary, but I guess that's what we do), put him in a corner OF spot or at DH and cross our fingers and hope he can produce before his proverbial DL stint.

With Bavasi's track record, I would be shocked if that's how it worked out. It's a lot more likely that we'll dish some promising young player(s) and get Griffey having already picked up his 2009 option ($16.5M). Oh well, I guess it will make the team more fun to watch. That's all the front office seems to care about these days.

**Rennie Stennett** · 05-13-2008, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by themedia

For this to be done right, we would need to lose almost nothing (this would probably mean eating a ton of salary, but I guess that's what we do), put him in a corner OF spot or at DH and cross our fingers and hope he can produce before his proverbial DL stint.

With Bavasi's track record, I would be shocked if that's how it worked out. It's a lot more likely that we'll dish some promising young player(s) and get Griffey having already picked up his 2009 option ($16.5M). Oh well, I guess it will make the team more fun to watch. That's all the front office seems to care about these days.

Griffey was not happy going to right field for the Reds. He sees himself as a CF all the way to the hall. With this in mind, if the M's tried to convert him to DH, he'd raise a fuss.

I agree with you that the front office only cares for attendance. An example would be the Beltre and Sexson signings. They made these moves only when the gate went down.

As far as Griffey goes, I don't want him back. I don't like the way he left Seattle with his attitude and all. I'd be in favor of a one day contract so he could retire a Mariner. This is what the front office wants - a sure fire Hall of Famer they can call their own.

**Wade8813** · 05-13-2008, 01:22 PM

I don't like the way he left Seattle with his attitude and all.

See, I have that problem with Randy and A-Rod, but not Griffey. Randy seemed to start playing poorly in order to force a trade. A-Rod said it wasn't about the money, then left despite being offered a huge contract. Griffey said it was to be with his family, and he actually went to be with his family.

**KCGHOST** · 05-13-2008, 01:31 PM

The M's need someone who can consistently produce runs in the middle of the line-up but I am not so sure Griffey is the guy. He will hit you some home runs but I don't know if he will really increase your overall run production.

Griffey would have to be crazy to agree to the trade unless someone guaranteed his 2009 option year.

**SABR Matt** · 05-13-2008, 01:39 PM

If the Mariners get Griffey, they will guarantee his option year and maybe offer one more year...but that's OK. And he would play right field and Wlad would shift to left, with Ibanez either DHing or playing first.

As for his attitude when he left, he had an attitude because the club treated him badly at the end. They approached him and asked "which one of you two (meaning he and A-Rod) should we trade" when they realized they couldn't afford both. Griffey got insulted and asked to leave. I don't blame him.

**mrakbaseball** · 11-08-2008, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by Mariner Fans Everywhere

Griffey will be happy to be back
I want him back. I like the way he plays . I'd be in favor of a 1 year contract so he could retire a Mariner. This is what the front office and all the fans want - a sure fire Hall of Famer they can call their own.

Griffey's presence in Seattle in '09, will not effect what happens in '11 and beyond. It won't be detrimental to the rebuilding process.

**Bobby_Ayala** · 11-08-2008, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by mrakbaseball

Griffey's presence in Seattle in '09, will not effect what happens in '11 and beyond. It won't be detrimental to the rebuilding process.

If Griffey Jr. doesn't retire, he will play in the American League. Seattle is the logical choice. Griffey no longer will be the man. This is why he is considering the Mariners. He would rather play in familiar territory, than play 7th fiddle on a contender. He doesn't want to be Luis Sojo. A replaceable part. Seattle will be home. Deja Vu

in more ways than one. I love women.

**mrakbaseball** · 11-14-2008, 11:13 PM

No Mas..........

**boisemarinersfan** · 11-18-2008, 12:26 PM

ESPN.Com says Jr. is almost certian to be a Mariner next year.

**mrakbaseball** · 11-20-2008, 11:57 PM

no mas........

**mrakbaseball** · 11-01-2008, 02:20 PM

Larry Stone article link

: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...91_mari01.html

If Griffey can put up numbers similar to '07 in '09, why not? $4-$8 mil isn't out of the question. The Mariners aren't competing in '09 anyway. He says he's open to DHing.

**Doug Miller** · 11-02-2008, 07:54 AM

I think this will show how much Z is in charge or not. A big part of me wants Griffey back, but at the same time I know he's going to hit .250 with around 25HR at best. I want him back for the same reason anyone that wants him back does -- nostalgia. That said, there are better DH canidates out there for free agency; if big Z signs Griffey it will be because Lincoln and Armstrong tell him too, which puts back into question "Who's in charge?"

I've never been a jersey guy, but I've already told my wife that if he comes back I'm buying one. Seeing him last year for the three games at Safeco was truly special and the thought of having him back is exciting, but I don't think he'll be the contributor that we really want. I hope I'm wrong.

Here was an even better article about re-signing Griffey, and maybe a few others.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports...ry/526004.html

Doug

**mrakbaseball** · 11-02-2008, 01:59 PM

Why not have Griffey AND Randy Johnson both finish their careers as Mariners? It would be fitting that Johnson would win his 300th game in a Seattle uniform. 2009 is a lost cause anyway, so Griffey and Johnson would be 2 pretty good stop gap players. Griffey would DH with maybe 1-2 starts a week in the OF. Johnson would join a rotation with Hernandez, RRS, Morrow, and due to the $48 mi contract, Silva.

**Bobby_Ayala** · 11-02-2008, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by mrakbaseball

Why not have Griffey AND Randy Johnson both finish their careers as Mariners? It would be fitting that Johnson would win his 300th game in a Seattle uniform. 2009 is a lost cause anyway, so Griffey and Johnson would be 2 pretty good stop gap players. Griffey would DH with maybe 1-2 starts a week in the OF. Johnson would join a rotation with Hernandez, RRS, Morrow, and due to the $48 mi contract, Silva.

Party like it's 1995.

**Wade8813** · 11-03-2008, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Bobby_Ayala

Party like it's 1995.

Party like it's 1995, except for the fact we probably won't actually make the playoffs...

**Bobby_Ayala** · 01-17-2009, 04:28 PM

Griffey will only be brought back as a last resort.

**raiderjohn** · 01-19-2009, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Bobby_Ayala

Griffey will only be brought back as a last resort.

Could be, get a look at Clement and Balentien. Figure out where to put Branyan. Determine when to move Beltre, now that he's tossed in the Twins as a no trade. Lots to figure out.....plus it seems from Jack Z's recent comments, that Griffey's also looking at his options, desirable playing time, and cash. M's shouldn't offer more than 4 million.

**mrakbaseball** · 02-10-2009, 10:37 PM

no mas.......

**mrakbaseball** · 02-11-2009, 12:55 PM

no mas.........

**boisemarinersfan** · 02-11-2009, 01:24 PM

I think Griffey would be so much better than Anderson. I also belive Jr would protect Beltre in to a pretty good offencive year. Garett had a few good years (roid years?) for the Angels but was also surrounded by some really good hitters. That goes a long way to help an average hitter to better numbers.

**mrakbaseball** · 02-11-2009, 02:44 PM

no mas.........

**Rennie Stennett** · 02-11-2009, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by mrakbaseball

This is about doing the right thing for the right reasons. Mays retired in New York, Aaron retired in Milwaukee, Griffey will retire in Seattle.

Montana retired in KC; Favre retired in NY; blah, blah, blah. It was before your time, but Mays was a joke to watch while with the Mets. He couldn't even throw the ball back to the infield, rather he flipped to another outfielder.

Frank James made money with the circus after his prison days and outlaw days. Griffey has a certain spectacle appeal that Mariner fans will like. He'll he (Griffey) might not even pass the physical. Remember he had the bad knee last year that resulted in surgery.

**Rennie Stennett** · 02-11-2009, 04:44 PM

Griffey can give the clubhouse, which for the past few years has been one of the most somber, dark, unhappy places in professional sports, some credibility.

He isn’t the sometimes-petulant kid, nestled in a recliner, sitting in some private clubhouse corner anymore. He isn’t going to be demanding and aloof.

The Kid has grown up. He won’t be an emotional drain when he hits the inevitable slump. He won’t be high-maintenance. In fact he could help with the team’s maintenance.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/b...osition=recent