SB Nation Seattle - Chone Figgins to Move Back to Third Basehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48997/seattle-fave.png2011-01-07T08:44:49-08:00http://seattle.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16357372011-01-07T08:44:49-08:002011-01-07T08:44:49-08:00Seattle Mariners Request Chone Figgins Move to Third Base
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a> have asked <span>Chone Figgins</span> to <a href="http://heraldnet.com/article/20110106/BLOG05/110109887" target="new">move back to third base</a> in order to free up second for new acquisition <span>Brendan Ryan</span>, according to Kirby Arnold of the Everett Herald. Figgins, who turns 33 this month, was signed as a free agent in December 2009 to replace the outgoing <span>Adrian Beltre</span>, then immediately converted into a second baseman in order to accommodate <span>Jose Lopez</span>’s switch to third base. The experiment was not a success: Figgins’ error count spiked and his batting slumped as well, hitting just .259 one season after holding a .298 average with Anaheim.</p>
<p>With Jose Lopez no longer in the picture after a trade to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a>, the Mariners are taking the opportunity to undo their original move and put Figgins in a position he’s been more comfortable in over the course of his career. With Ryan in the fold the Mariners have the ability to field two elite gloves around the keystone while letting Figgins return to third base, where he’s long drawn rave reviews for his range and reaction speed.</p>
<p>For his part, Figgins was happy to move – again – for the Mariners, who gave him a four-year, $36M contract last winter:</p>
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<p>“We have talked to Chone about going back to third base and he’s well aware of it,” Zduriencik said. “His response was, ‘Fine, I’ll do what is best for the club.’”</p>
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<p>Seattle’s starting infield now appears set, with Figgins at third, Ryan at second, <span>Jack Wilson</span> manning short, and <span>Justin Smoak</span> at first base.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-mariners/2011/1/7/1921006/seattle-mariners-chone-figgins-third-base-brendan-ryanGraham MacAree2011-01-04T16:07:49-08:002011-01-04T16:07:49-08:00Brendan Ryan Signs New Contract, Avoids Arbitration
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a> infielder <span>Brendan Ryan</span> has avoided arbitration today by signing a two-year, $2.75M deal. Ryan was traded to the Mariners by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> in a straight swap for prospect <span>Maikel Cleto</span>, and is expected to earn the starting second baseman job in spring training as well as being a possible shortstop option should <span>Jack Wilson</span> end up traded or injured at some point in the season.</p>
<p>This year was to be Ryan’s first year of arbitration eligibility, and thanks to his poor performance with the bat in 2010 – he hit .223 with just two home runs and 36 <span class="caps">RBI</span> in almost 140 games with the Redbirds – was unlikely to have seen a significant raise over his previous salary of $425,000. His first year with the Mariners will see him earn $1M, with a further $1.75M coming in 2012.</p>
<p>Although Ryan’s bat could be charitably described as ‘impotent’ he brings a huge amount of value to the team with his fielding. Ryan is considered one of the best shortstops in baseball, and should provide a top-tier glove wherever the Mariners deploy him. It’s possible that the Mariners see him as their primary shortstop over the next two seasons, which would make the two-year deal a bargain. For Ryan, he gets the financial security of a two-year deal.</p>
<p>The contract will expire before Ryan’s last year of team control, and he will not be eligible for free agency until after the 2013 season.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-mariners/2011/1/4/1915240/seattle-mariners-brendan-ryan-contractGraham MacAree2010-12-12T12:28:53-08:002010-12-12T12:28:53-08:00Brendan Ryan Traded To Seattle Mariners For RHP Maikel Cleto
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<p>The <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Mariners</a> traded pitching prospect <span>Maikel Cleto</span> to the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Cardinals</a> in exchange for <span>Brendan Ryan</span> early Sunday afternoon. It's expected Ryan will takeover the duties at second base while highly-touted prospect <span>Dustin Ackley</span> continues his development in the minor leagues.</p>
<p>Ryan brings a career .259/.314/.344 batting line to Seattle. The light-hitting utility infielder is know for his glove and should bolster the Mariners' defense up the middle. Ryan spent his time at shortstop last year in St. Louis, appearing in 139 games.</p>
<p>In a conference all following the trade, Zduriencik praised Ryan's versatility while making it clear he expects the infielder to compete for a starting job right away. With <span>Jose Lopez</span> gone, traded to the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colorado Rockies</a>, the Mariners are looking for a short-term, stop-gap solution at second base. It appears <span>Chone Figgins</span> will move back to third base after spending the 2010 season at second.</p>
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<p>In acquiring Brendan Ryan we have added a player who is athletic, has played multiple positions, has been an everyday Major League shortstop, and is playoff tested.</p>
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<p>Cleto is a high-upside prospect that spent his time in Class A High Desert during the 2010 season. He compiled a 4-9 record with a 6.13 ERA in 23 games. </p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2010/12/12/2326215/brendan-ryan-traded-to-seattle-mariners-for-rhp-maikel-cletoBrian Floyd