Mariners offer Ibanez arbitration, had preliminary talks with Griffey

SEATTLE -- Raul Ibanez was offered salary arbitration Monday by the Mariners, a move that means Seattle would receive an extra pair of draft picks next year if the free-agent outfielder signs with another team.

New general manager Jack Zduriencik also said Monday he has had preliminary talks with the agent for Ken Griffey Jr., a free agent who became a superstar with the Mariners a decade ago.

Ibanez, the team's leading run producer in 2008, has until Sunday to accept the arbitration offer. Under a change in baseball's rules that began in 2006, free agents can re-sign with their former clubs at any time.

Ibanez has spent all but three of his 13 major league seasons with Seattle.

"We'd like to have him back to be a player with us for the coming year," Zduriencik said.

When asked what the team would do if the 36-year-old Ibanez wanted a multiyear contract, the GM said: "That's a different subject. What we're telling him is that we'd love to have him back for this year."

Ibanez was fifth in the AL with 110 RBI while playing in all 162 games this year. He said at the end of the season he liked Seattle and loved its fans but wanted to win and was likely to explore multiyear offers from other teams.

Seattle lost 101 games this year and so far has remodeled the front office, its scouting staff and its entire coaching staff in the month-plus Zduriencik has been on the job.

"I'd like the opportunity to be competitive and have the opportunity to win," Ibanez said after the final game of the season.

Seattle did not offer arbitration to its other former players who became free agents: utilitymen Willie Bloomquist and Miguel Cairo.

Zduriencik said the Mariners' interest in Griffey, who turned 39 last month, remains preliminary.

"I have had discussions with Ken Griffey's agent, yes. Have we talked about some possibilities with him? We have," Zduriencik said. "Is there anything concrete? Is there an offer made? No.

"I'd say it's more an inquiry more than anything else."