SEATTLE -- The last link to the Mariners' first playoff team is
returning for at least one more season, and left-handed pitcher Ron
Villone can come back, too, if he wants.
Catcher Dan Wilson agreed to a one-year contract on Tuesday, hours
before the Mariners had to decide whether to offer salary
arbitration to the free agent. If they hadn't, it effectively would
have ended Wilson's 11-year career with the organization.
"Today was 'D Day,' so to speak, and it was nice to get this taken
care of," said Wilson at a late afternoon press conference at Safeco
Field. "We have been here for a long time, and we wanted to stick
around. We're glad it worked out."
With designated hitter Edgar Martinez retiring at the end of the
2004 season, Wilson is the only player remaining from the 1995 AL
West championship team.
"Bringing Dan back was important to us," general manager Bill Bavasi
said in a statement. "His veteran leadership and the way he handles
the pitching staff are integral parts of our ballclub, and he did a
great job working with [Miguel] Olivo last season."
Club officials wouldn't disclose salary figures, but The Associated
Press reported that the deal is for $1.75 million.
Wilson, 35, batted .251 with two home runs and 33 RBIs in 103 games
in 2004. He reached base via hit or walk in 71 of the 98 games in
which he had an at-bat and was 4-for-10 with 13 RBIs with the bases
loaded, increasing his career average to .330 (36-for-109) with the
bases loaded.
"This is where my family and I have called home for the last 11
years, and I am looking forward to helping return the club to the
level of success we've become accustomed to on the field," Wilson
said.
The Mariners faced a 9 p.m. PT salary arbitration deadline with
Wilson, who made $3.5 million in 2004, the final year of a two-year
contract. Later Tuesday, the Mariners offered arbitration to
Villone, who led the team in wins last season and was chosen as the
Mariners' Most Valuable Pitcher.
"We think he fits well and is a good pitcher," Bavasi said. "We
would like to have him back with us, but did not want to stop the
process tonight. We felt it was worth taking the chance of
arbitration, and it gives us extra time to work with Ron and go from
there."
Clubs that don't offer arbitration to their free agents lose all
rights to negotiate with -- or sign -- that player until May 1. This
effectively ends a player's relationship with his 2004 team.
Once offered arbitration, players have until Dec. 19 to accept or
reject salary arbitration. If the player accepts arbitration, he
will return to the team for at least one year. If the player rejects
arbitration, the team can continue to negotiate until Jan. 8.
Perhaps more important, by offering arbitration, a club receives
compensation, in the form of a draft pick, if the player signs with
another team.
"Whether we can get something done before the 19th is not something
I can tell you right now," Bavasi said. "There is some distance
between our last proposal and their last proposal. There is some
distance, but we could get something done."
Bavasi said the Mariners are willing to give Villone a two-year
contract, but there remains a significant gap in salary.
"We are going to stay in contact," Bavasi said.
The club is staying in even closer contact with Wilson for at least
one more season.
"This could be my last year, but I don't know," he said. "My family
will be my priority, and we'll see how it goes. Year to year is what
I am looking for now. It gives me an opportunity to evaluate things
at the end of the season."
Wilson started the most games at catcher for the 11th consecutive
season, finished first on the team in sacrifice flies (five) and
reached the 1,000-hit mark in his Mariners career on April 24,
against the Rangers.
Wilson, an All-Star in 1996, owns a lifetime .263 batting average in
1,288 games with Seattle and the Reds (1992-93). He is the Mariners'
all-time leader in games caught with 1,226 -- nearly 450 more than
second-place Dave Valle (798).
The Mariners acquired Wilson from the Reds, along with relief
pitcher Bobby Ayala, for second baseman Bret Boone and starting
pitcher Erik Hanson