My first thought here, ironically enough, concerned the Braves -- no, not the '09 version, the 1975 edition. Reminds me of Hank Aaron returning to Milwaukee. Different club, but same sentiment.

Hope it works out better for Junior than it did for Hank!

Eh, a nice thing to do as I like the idea of HOF'ers going back to their roots at the end.  Griffey Jr has had just one sub-100 OPS+ season in his career and that was a 99.  A 119 in 2007 squeezed between his 99 and last years 101 suggests they could get lucky but odds are they will have a guy who is mediocre and produces around a 95 OPS+ with decent defense in LF for this year for his swan song.  No milestones to reach (over 600 HR, no shot at 700, no real shot at 3000 hits either or 2000 RBI without playing a few more years).  Ideally he'll have a decent season but not so good that he decides to keep going.  A sellout on their final home date for his farewell would be ideal.

The ideal role for Griffey is as a DH with a day off every week against lefties (i.e. the Harold Baines way).  He could be productive for another couple of years in that role, as he has hit .280/.390/.500 against right-handed pitching over the last two years.  If he really does well, he could conceivably could make 3,000 hits.

the ideal role my be a Baines, but he'll be taking away at bats from prospects... the M's aren't really gonna win, and they need to find out if Clement and Balentien can actually play. besides they have the ultimate defense first OF if they want. I just don't see how having Griffey on the team helps do anything but sell tickets.... and it might not even do that if people hold a grudge for him wanting out the first time round.
hopefuly it works out for both of them, i say it doesn't.

Funny how some feel Griffey is taking AB's from prospects, but others wanted the Jays to sign a DH to take them away from Snider.  Guess it depends how close you feel those prospects are.

Seattle lost over 100 games last year, their regular LF and DH are gone (at least I hope they dumped Vidro) while every bench player had an OPS+ under 100 who played more than 6 games.  Balentien hit 202/250/342 which is about as bad as it gets.  He hit well in AAA, but that was the PCL (something we'll have to get used to).  I think the Mariners have lots of places to stick kids for now and if some have to stick in AAA for awhile so be it.  Maybe Balentien can platoon with Griffey and get just a handful of AB's vs RHP until he recovers from a horrid rookie season.  FYI: his OPS was 630-269-566-592 by month for May-Sept.  Ick.

What?  The Mariners have Balentien, Ichiro and Gutierrez in the OF, and they've got a spot for Clement at first base if they decide that it is better for his development to not catch.  Is there a DH/Big Papi type that Griffey is blocking and I don't know about? 

Mike, there had been some fast and loose talk about Endy Chavez playing LF, giving the team all kinds of outfield defense. Or at least there had been until Griffey signed.

"What?  The Mariners have Balentien, Ichiro and Gutierrez in the OF, and they've got a spot for Clement at first base if they decide that it is better for his development to not catch.  Is there a DH/Big Papi type that Griffey is blocking and I don't know about? " Clement will split time at C and DH. They signed Branyan who has 52 HRs over his last 4 seasons/591 ABs (120 BB too). I'd love to see what he can do palying full time against  RHP (Chris Shelton could be fine against lefties). I think Griffey plays mostly in LF and Wlady starts in AAA where he belongs.

Thanks, gentlemen.  I wouldn't bother signing Griffey to play left-field.  It's not good for him, and it's not good for the team.  Personally, I'd rather have Clement playing first base than DHing when he isn't behind the dish.

The prodigal son returns.

From a near God when he played in Seattle to the man of 1,000 injuries during his career at Cincinnati. An old dog comes home to lick his wounds and see if the sea air can give him another shot at greatness. Not this time Ken - sorry - you can go home - but Father Time won't turn back the clock for anyone - not even Ken Griffey's son - Jr.