Hot rumors and cool talk for Tuesday afternoon around the Hot Stove: For Mariners, first things first Nick Johnson's on-base percentage -- .477 in 35 games with Florida following his trade from Washington -- has made him one of the most popular players on the free-agent market, and the latest to look into him are the Mariners, who will need a first ...

The Mets continue to look at potential one-year platoon options at first base, reportedly checking in yesterday with well-traveled Russell Branyan and Nick Johnson.

Baseball's shopping season begins in earnest today when teams are allowed to negotiate with all 171 players who filed for free agency.

Beginning Friday, all of baseball's 171 free agents can negotiate with any team they want instead of the teams they're leaving behind.

Tomorrow is the start of the free-agency period, where the Mariners can window-shop for some of the bigger names from other teams.

An offseason that has seen the Seattle Mariners sign Ken Griffey Jr. and Jack Wilson will heat up considerably Friday, and not just because teams on that day can begin making offers to free agents other than their own.

When Don Wakamatsu was selected as the Mariners manager last November, he wanted to prove that some of his managerial philosophies, including a "belief system," would work.

While Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said Wednesday he had no comment on negotiations with first baseman Russell Branyan, a report circulated out of the general manager's meetings in Chicago that the team may be interested in Lyle Overbay.

Oh yeah, and except for Olerud those sample sizes are too small to prove anything.

Jon Heyman reports that Ken Griffey, Jr. will return to Seattle for 2010, with a $2M plus incentives contract for one year.

There was one bit of news coming out of Seattle yesterday despite what was a really slow day in baseball.

I just got off the phone with Russell Branyan -- his new baby girl was quiet during the converesation -- and he remains quite hopeful of working out a deal with the Mariners despite turning down the M's one-year offer, which he said included an option for a second year.

Apparently, Adam Jones' brother, Jonathan , has spilled the beans on his MySpace page that Adam has won a Gold Glove.

Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre and designated hitter Mike Sweeney were among the 79 players who filed for free agency on Thursday, the first day eligible players were allowed to file.

Spoke with Russell Branyan on Monday night and this story on his progress from the back problems that bugged him this year ran in this morning's sports section.

Aaron Hill was named the American League's Comeback Player of the Year on Tuesday as part of the 2009 Players Choice Awards.

When Kenji Johjima opted out of his contract, it was very obvious that the Mariners had ultimately experienced addition by subtraction.

What David Aardsma loved most about the Seattle Mariners of 2009 was the hope they carried into 2010.

When something as special as Ken Griffey Jr.'s 2009 season happens, especially the postgame spew of emotions last Sunday when teammates carried him off the field, two things come to mind.

Signing Beltre brought defensive stability to third base that the Mariners sought for years.