Wilson Signs For $6.55 Million
The Seattle Mariners made another move to keep the core of their team together into the next century Friday, signing a two-year, $6.55 million contract extension with all-star catcher Dan Wilson.
The deal includes a Mariners option for the year 2000.
Wilson joins all-stars Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Jay Buhner as the only players signed through the 2000 season.
Wilson made $1,025,000 in 1996, when he batted .285 with 18 home runs and 83 RBIs to earn his first All-Star Game appearance.
“I think what means the most is being around these players, this atmosphere,” Wilson said. “Baseball in the Northwest the past few years has blossomed. It’s really exciting to be in this atmosphere.”
Wilson was signed through this season and said he had little interest in pursuing free agency.
“Some of the other factors weighed into it as much as that would have,” Wilson said. “That’s why we made the deal.”
The contract extension includes a $250,000 signing bonus and $2.4 million in 1998 and $3.5 million in 1999. The Mariners have the option on a contract for 2000 that would pay $4.4 million. If the Mariners don’t exercise their option, they would have to pay Wilson a guaranteed $400,000 buyout.
Wilson, 28, in his fourth year with the Mariners, had been in negotiations for the past six weeks.
Wilson has also reached an agreement with Eagle Hardware to join Randy Johnson, Edgar Martinez and Buhner as spokesmen.
M’s revisited
The first event of the Mariners’ celebration of the first 20 years of franchise history is today, when the first 30,000 fans receive 20th anniversary hats.
The Mariners have numerous events scheduled to revive the memories (both dreadful and spectacular) of the first 20 seasons.
Mariners moments from Lenny Randle blowing a bunt foul, to Bill Caudill’s bat-burning and Gaylord Perry’s 300th victory will be recognized. The highlight will be a turn-back-the-clock game July 19 against the Kansas City Royals.
Former Mariners will make appearances during every weekend home series of the season. Today’s featured former Mariner will be second baseman Julio Cruz. A series of six posters, a video and CD are also in the works.
Notes
Although the Mariners didn’t sign right-handed pitcher Mike Maddux immediately after he worked out for the club earlier in the week, it is still a possibility, according to manager Lou Piniella. Maddux, the brother of Atlanta’s four-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux, would provide a versatile arm capable of spot starting or throwing any manner of relief… . Jamie Moyer’s sore arm is expected to keep him out of the starting rotation until near the end of April… . Of the 774 players on opening day major league rosters - including disabled lists - 147 represent 17 foreign countries. The Dominican Republic leads all foreign countries with 57 big leaguers.