"The Kid" Returning To Emerald City?

By Matt Jussim

Ken Griffey Jr. will be remembered as one of the greatest baseball players of all time when he retires. In 1995 when he helped lead the Mariners to the AL West title and defeat the Yankees in the playoffs, he saved baseball in Seattle.

At the time he could have signed with any team for any amount of money he wanted, but he stayed with the Mariners. For a few more years at least. Either way, when the trade rumors started flowing last season on Griffey, every Seattle fan was crossing their fingers, hoping to bring their prodigal son back to the Emerald City.

Eventually Griffey was traded to the Chicago White Sox, and earlier this offseason the team declined the $16.5 million option on the future Hall of Famer, making him a free agent. With Junior a free agent, and the Mariners fit with a new administration, the question on every fans mind is, will Ken Griffey Jr. sign with the Mariners?

It has been reported that Griffey wouldn’t mind playing for the Tampa Bay Rays, who unlike Seattle are a contender, and he has a home two hours away from where they play. But the Rays seem to be out of the running for Griffey due to the fact that they just signed Pat Burrell to a two year $16 million deal. Other second tier free agents have begun to sign as well. Milton Bradley just signed a three-year deal with the Cubs, and Jason Giambi and the A’s are close to a deal that would bring the former MVP back to Oakland.

Until these past few flurries, the free agent market had been pretty slow moving, with the Mariners standing back, waiting for the dominoes to fall. New Mariners GM Jack Zdurienick would like to add another outfield bat, and even perhaps another infielder to the Mariners lineup. With Burrell, Bradley and Giambi off the market, the best available free agents left are outfielders Adam Dunn, Bobby Abreu, Garret Anderson, Rocco Baldelli, and of course Ken Griffey Jr.

Signing Griffey could be both positive and negative for the Seattle Mariners.

Griffey’s experience and veteran presence in the locker room could help a young Mariner team get back on the right track. If it worked out, the effect of Griffey on the team could be felt for years to come. He started his career in Seattle, had some of his best seasons while playing there, and is still extremely popular. The signing of Griffey would sure bring praise from the fans, and may even sell a few more tickets, which is something the Mariners desperately need.

At the same time, bringing Griffey back to Seattle isn’t sure to be a success. He may command a high amount of money, but more important is Griffey’s past injury history. If he’s brought in and doesn’t end up playing most of the season due to an injury, it really wouldn’t be worth it. Although I think he could stay healthy, there is always a chance he could get hurt again, as he has in recent seasons.

Griffey put up decent numbers between Cincinnati and Chicago last season, hitting .249 with 18 home runs, and 71 RBI’s. He slugged .424, while his on base percentage was .353. But Griffey underperformed greatly in the playoffs, only hitting .200, with no home runs or RBI’s.

Wherever Griffey ends up, he will be a great asset to that team, whether it is with his sweet swing, or as a teacher to young players.

I think it would serve the Mariners well to sign the seasoned vet, and bring the man who saved baseball in Seattle back home again.