When Russell Branyan signed with the Seattle Mariners last winter I was as ecstatic as anyone. The reason was because the Mariners were considering Branyan as their everyday first basemen and despite his strike out numbers Branyan can hit the ball as far as anyone.
Well he didn’t disappoint last season and actually excelled as a regular with a batting line of .251/.347/.520, a career-high 31 home runs and 76 RBI.
Branyan told MLB.com that while he was still hoping to reach an agreement to return as a member of the Mariners that it would not be on a one year deal.
“I’m not a bad guy, not a selfish guy,” he said from his offseason home. “I don’t know if there is a two- or three-year deal out there for me, but I would like to have more than a one-year deal. I don’t want another one-and-done [contract].”
Considering what Branyan brings to the table he’s likely to stay put in the American League. Last season he earned $1.4 million and while most free agents are looking at less money this season, it’s expected that Branyan should receive a raise and a multi-year deal.
I can’t disagree with Branyan. He’s proven to be a productive member of a club when he’s actually been a part of it. He at-least deserves the chance to see if there’s a team out there looking to use him as more then just a one year option.
He deserves it and he isn’t selfish at all for wanting it. He’s played for 7 teams in 4 years. If you are making $1.4 million it would be nice to buy rather than rent.
it’s almost silly that a guy like Branyan has to go house hunting every 6 months when guys like Willie Bloomquist and Kevin Millar have been pampered over the same time