Mike Sweeney "just soaking up every minute'' while awaiting deicison by Mariners on his future

We told you weeks ago that Mike Sweeney wants to return to the majors for one final season next year and would prefer to play here or in Anaheim, which is close to his home north of San Diego. The Mariners haven't made a call on that yet and won't for several weeks. Sweeney is a pending free agent and will be 36 next season. He put off knee surgery last winter and made it through this year unscathed after taking gel shot injections. He's credited a core conditioning program with helping reduce the back spasms that plagued him early. In the second half, he'd hit .316 with an .892 OPS comapred to .250 with a .678 OPS prior. A world of difference. "I'm just soaking up every minute of these last four days,'' Sweeney said. "It's the most fun I've ever had in the big leagues. It's an amazing clubhouse, playing for a great skipper. I pray I can come back, but we'll see how the cards unfold.'' Yes, we will. Read more...