Baseball Notebook: Griffey agrees to return to Mariners next season

By: JournalNow Staff | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 12, 2009

■ Mariners: Ken Griffey Jr. agreed to another one-year contract that will keep him in Seattle next year.

Griffey, who will turn 40 on Nov. 21, received a contract similar to the incentive-laden deal he signed to return to Seattle for the 2009 season. He is likely to again be a part-time designated hitter in his 22nd season in the major leagues.

"He's open to anything," General Manager Jack Zduriencik of the Mariners said in a telephone interview. "What he said was, ‘I'd like to be a part of this. Hey, I'm the part of a 25-man club. Let the pieces fall where they may ... let the manager make the decisions.'

"It's a real bonus to have him back."

Griffey hit .214 last season with 19 homers as a part-time DH.

■ NL Gold Gloves: Shortstop Jimmy Rollins won his third consecutive NL Gold Glove yesterday, and Philadelphia Phillies teammate Shane Victorino has won for the second straight time in the outfield. St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina and San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez also were second-time winners announced yesterday.

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright succeeded Greg Maddux, who won his record 18th last year.

Dodgers second baseman Orlando Hudson won for the fourth time, taking over from Cincinnati's Brandon Phillips.

Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman replaced the Mets' David Wright, a boyhood friend. Houston outfielder Michael Bourn and Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp also were first-time winners.

■ Red Sox: Catcher Jason Varitek exercised his $3 million option to stay with Boston.

Boston declined to exercise its $5 million club option on Monday, and Varitek then had two days to decide whether to exercise his player option at the lower price.

Varitek, 37, was Boston's starting catcher until Boston obtained Victor Martinez from Cleveland on July 31.