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.
Mariners decline 2011 options on Bedard, Branyan and Lopez
Larry Stone
StoneLarry
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.
Rainiers Chris Seddon, Ryan Feierabend, and Sean White each outrighted off 40-man, can become free agents if they desire.
Mike Curto
CurtoWorld
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.
Langerhans & Quiroz decline outright and become free agents. #Mariners
Matt Pitman
mattpitman
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.