Jose Lopez Traded To The Colorado Rockies

Instead of non-tendering third baseman Jose Lopez, the Seattle Mariners were able to ship the third basemen off to Colorado on Thursday, in exchange for right-handed pitcher Chaz Roe. And with that, the Lopez era in Seattle ends unceremoniously on the final day to offer returning players arbitration.

Roe is a warm body and live arm from the Rockies organization. As a former first-round draft pick in 2005, Roe has toiled in the minor leagues, finally reaching Triple-A in 2010. Pitching for Colorado Springs in the PCL, Roe compiled a 9-13 record with a 5.98 ERA in 2010.

After starting his Mariner career as a promising prospect, Lopez fell into a slow decline, finally reaching the bottom of the barrel in 2010. It became clear Lopez was no longer in the team’s plans this past season and the Mariners reportedly began actively shopping the third basemen ahead of the trade deadline, though they never found a buyer.

The fact that the Mariners got nothing more than a struggling, former first-round draft pick for Lopez is an indication of just how far his value sank.

Seattle Mariners Sign Erik Bedard To A One-Year, Non-Guaranteed Contract

Guess who's back from the ashes for the Seattle Mariners? After being unable to overcome a torn labrum that required surgery, twice, Erik Bedard will be back with the Seattle Mariners in 2011. The lefty ace came over in a trade with Baltimore during the famed Bill Bavasi era in exchange for Adam Jones, George Sherill, Chris Tillman and two others.

Seattle Times columnist Larry Stone tweeted the news earlier this evening.

It seems like a low-risk, high upside move for the Mariners. If Bedard is ready to go, and can pitch to his abilities, he'll be rewarded for it. If not, the contract isn't guaranteed and the Mariners can cut ties.

Stone elaborated on the move, saying the Mariners have spent two years nursing Bedard back to health are are looking to reap the benefits with a low-risk contract. At this point, the Mariners have invested enough in Bedard's shoulder, they practically own the thing.

Bedard will reportedly be ready to go for Spring Training, giving us an idea of how his body can handle the rigors of pitching again after such a long layoff. Don't expect results quickly as the Mariners will likely take their time in an effort to avoid further injury ... again.

Seattle Mariners Offseason News And Notes

It's the most wonderful time of the year for Mariners fans. The offseason is here and the wheeling and dealing is beginning, with general manager Jack Zduriencik looking to erase the painful memories of the 2010 season by reshaping the roster. Zduriencik has some decisions to make about the future of players while also looking to fill in some holes in the offense.

First up for the Mariners are the options the club controls on a few of their higher-profile players. The Seattle Times' Larry Stone tweeted the Mariners are declining contract options for Jose Lopez, Erik Bedard and Russell Branyan.

Lopez is arbitration eligible unless the Mariners decide not to tender him a contract before Dec. 2. Stone also notes the Mariners had already decided to decline pitcher Ian Snell's option, making him a free agent.

Tacoma Rainers radio man Mike Curto also had some news on the Mariners' roster shakeups, confirming Seattle outrighted Chris Seddon, Ryan Feierabend and Sean White.

Matt Pittman added two more names to the list of outrighted players declining assignments to become free agents. Ryan Langerhans and Guillermo Quiroz were both given their walking papers today and head into the free agency pool.

Expect another busy offseason as the Mariners work within their budget to find ways to improve the dismal 2010 squad. Stay tuned to our StoryStream for all the offseason news and notes ahead of the MLB Winter Meetings that begin on Dec. 6.