http://www.yardbarker.com/rss/player/69 Recent articles about Russell Branyan en-us We're just over a week away from the start of the baseball winter meetings and the Mariners will be looking to make a slew of additions to their roster. Some items of need include, but are not limited to, a new third baseman, first baseman, No. 2 starter, No. 3 starter, perhaps a left fielder and maybe a second baseman as well. Hey, we can quibble about those, and throw in a veteran catcher and situational lefty if you'd like. Maybe Michael Saunders is the starting left fielder and ... Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:45:03 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Millions_of_reasons_for_Mariners_to_give_thanks_ahead_of_the_winter_meetings/1640693 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Millions_of_reasons_for_Mariners_to_give_thanks_ahead_of_the_winter_meetings/1640693 Blogging the Offseason is a 30 team series in which I ask a blogging representative from each MLB team a series of ten questions about their desires and thoughts surrounding the offseason. Check out all of them here. Today's AL team is the Seattle Mariners and our guest is Griffin from the Mariners Blog, Sodo Mojo. 1. What do the Mariners need to do this offseason to truly make them a contender for the AL West crown in 2010? They have to sign or acquire a legitimate #2 starter, fig... Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:22:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Blogging_the_Offseason_Seattle_Mariners/1631447 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Blogging_the_Offseason_Seattle_Mariners/1631447 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Blogging_the_Offseason_Seattle_Mariners/1631447 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/d/7d45429a9fc59860da5e134b34078385a599dc42/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f72499297.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193DADD97B58D4678D09040FC033CBE4662.jpg More photos » by Elaine Thompson - AP These days, Branyan makes the same face when he gets out of bed. Browse more photos » I'll be honest with you - since the end of the season, I've considered the return of Russell Branyan in 2010 all but an inevitability. He's a player that fits here, filling a need and adding a lot to the lineup, and this being the first team to really give him a chance to... Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:19:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/On_Bringing_Back_Russell_Branyan/1627491 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/On_Bringing_Back_Russell_Branyan/1627491 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/On_Bringing_Back_Russell_Branyan/1627491 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/9/59e55a28aa0e3a196677cd25d42c6f6dabd72f06/small/Russell_Branyan_7b88.jpg Russell Branyan is a 33 y/0 left handed hitting 1B, Branyan has bounced around the league since he was 22 y/o (1998). In 11 seasons he has played for nine different teams and only played 100 games in two of those seasons ( 2001/2002) before this year. In those two full time seasons he hit 20 HRs but since then he has been a career journeyman playing at most 90 games, hitting under 17 HRS and has a lifetime BA of .239.But that all changed in 2009 with the Seattle Mariners where he played in a ... Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:32:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Branyan_Career_year_or_Break_out/1620401 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Branyan_Career_year_or_Break_out/1620401 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Branyan_Career_year_or_Break_out/1620401 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/6/96e156a8fd3c88e45b68eff5f58fbd7a3f9faad2/small/Russell_Branyan_5e72.jpg Tomorrow is the start of the free-agency period, where the Mariners can window-shop for some of the bigger names from other teams. But those squads can do the same thing for Mariners pending free agents as well. The only name Mariners fans should really be concerned about is first baseman Russell Branyan, who enjoyed a breakout season in 2009 and has expressed a desire to remain in Seattle. The M's attempted to get a deal done during the 15-day window of exclusivity that followed the Wor... Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:15:09 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Window_of_exclusivity_shutting_on_Mariners_where_Russell_Branyan_other_free_agents_are_concerned/1598259 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Window_of_exclusivity_shutting_on_Mariners_where_Russell_Branyan_other_free_agents_are_concerned/1598259 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Window_of_exclusivity_shutting_on_Mariners_where_Russell_Branyan_other_free_agents_are_concerned/1598259 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/8/9899edad200009f2d63986889ea5ced900c9849d/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f274746.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1930CAC8EAFC893BBEB4F66DC1AA39D30D8.jpg If you were a GM, would you feel comfortable guarateeing two years to Russell Branyan? The Mariners might be, but they look a little hesitant to give Branyan anything more than a one year deal off the bat:"Branyan is coming off a 31-homer breakthrough season that was marred at the end by a back injury. He didn't play after Aug. 28 because of a herniated disk, but said Tuesday his back is considerably improved."I really want to get something done; I really want to stay in Seattle... Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:45:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Should_the_Mariners_Guarantee_Russell_Branyan_a_Second_Year/1543164 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Should_the_Mariners_Guarantee_Russell_Branyan_a_Second_Year/1543164 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Should_the_Mariners_Guarantee_Russell_Branyan_a_Second_Year/1543164 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/6/96e156a8fd3c88e45b68eff5f58fbd7a3f9faad2/small/Russell_Branyan_5e72.jpg A few things I missed over the afternoon... Russell Branyan has rejected a one-year offer from the Mariners, a one-year offer that, via Larry Stone, included a 2011 option. Branyan says that, while he'd love to stay in Seattle, he's holding out for a multiyear deal that gives him some semblance of stability, a goal that makes a lot of sense when you consider that he and his wife just had another kid. He's tired of moving around.I feel for him. Branyan's never deserved t... Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:02:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Tuesday_Night_Odds_amp_Ends/1542662 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Tuesday_Night_Odds_amp_Ends/1542662 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Tuesday_Night_Odds_amp_Ends/1542662 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/9/59e55a28aa0e3a196677cd25d42c6f6dabd72f06/small/Russell_Branyan_7b88.jpg Russell Branyan is just the type of trap that the Mets seem to always fall for, a guy who had the prospect tag but never lived up to expectations, finally puts up solid numbers and the Mets choose to see him as a late bloomer instead just having a career year...In 1997 at AAA Branyan hit .272 with 39 HRs and 105 RBIs, was nicknamed "Russell the Muscle" and was compared to Mark McGuire. But he never lived up to that billing, in 12 seasons he's only played in 882 games and only th... Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:57:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Its_a_trap_Russell_Branyan/1341242 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Its_a_trap_Russell_Branyan/1341242 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Its_a_trap_Russell_Branyan/1341242 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/8/9899edad200009f2d63986889ea5ced900c9849d/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f274746.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1930CAC8EAFC893BBEB4F66DC1AA39D30D8.jpg (For the last few weeks, I've been profiling some of the best free agents on the market this winter. At the end of each piece, I made a prediction regarding the type of contract the player could be in line to see. Obviously, these predictions have to be fluid because the season is still in progress. So which players have seen thier value change over the past few weeks? Let's take a look at the impending free agency of Russell Branyan.)Initial Prediction: (2 years/$15 million)When I po... Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:45:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Free_Agent_Adjustments_Russell_Branyan/1265239 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Free_Agent_Adjustments_Russell_Branyan/1265239 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Free_Agent_Adjustments_Russell_Branyan/1265239 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/8/9899edad200009f2d63986889ea5ced900c9849d/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f274746.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1930CAC8EAFC893BBEB4F66DC1AA39D30D8.jpg And it looks like Russell Branyan's magical 2009 season has unfortunately come to a close. Injuries suck:"Wakamatsu said there is a strong possibility that Russell Branyan will not be back this season. Branyan is on the DL with a herniated disc in his back. The team is targeting a mid-month return in hopes he responds to treatment.Branyan had an epidural Tuesday and supposedly feels better, but nobody can say for sure when he'll be back."I think with the bulging disc, there&... Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:15:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Free_Agent_to_be_Russell_Branyan_Out_for_the_Year/1113766 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Free_Agent_to_be_Russell_Branyan_Out_for_the_Year/1113766 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Free_Agent_to_be_Russell_Branyan_Out_for_the_Year/1113766 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/9/59e55a28aa0e3a196677cd25d42c6f6dabd72f06/small/Russell_Branyan_7b88.jpg With the current injuries to Russell Branyan, Adrian Beltre, and Ichiro, we’ve been putting out some of the worst lineups I’ve ever seen. We’re incredibly lucky that the brunt of these injuries has come during a homestand featuring the A’s and the Royals. But, even though both of those teams (especially the Royals) are terrible, [...] Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:34:57 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Our_Team_is_Weird/1088958 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Our_Team_is_Weird/1088958 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Our_Team_is_Weird/1088958 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/6/96e156a8fd3c88e45b68eff5f58fbd7a3f9faad2/small/Russell_Branyan_5e72.jpg We all know that signing Russell Branyan was an absolute bargain for the Mariners. We signed him for $1.4 million, and based on WAR he’s been worth $11.4 million – and it’s not even September yet. So no matter where he ranks among AL first basemen we should still be extremely happy to have him, [...] Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:41:12 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Russell_Branyan_Rankings/1044599 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Russell_Branyan_Rankings/1044599 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Russell_Branyan_Rankings/1044599 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/8/9899edad200009f2d63986889ea5ced900c9849d/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f274746.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1930CAC8EAFC893BBEB4F66DC1AA39D30D8.jpg I just can’t help but marvel at how ridiculously powerful Russell Branyan is. Of his 28 home runs (before today), only 5 of them have been under 400 feet. Now I would compare this to Jose Lopez, but it’s been done a million times, so I’ll compare it to Johnny Damon. Damon has probably been helped [...] Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:58:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Russell_Branyan_is_Strong/1026135 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Russell_Branyan_is_Strong/1026135 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Russell_Branyan_is_Strong/1026135 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/8/9899edad200009f2d63986889ea5ced900c9849d/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f274746.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1930CAC8EAFC893BBEB4F66DC1AA39D30D8.jpg ***Can you believe that it's almost that time again? Time to think about the upcoming free agent class! We'll be highlighting the pros and cons of signing each free agent and at the end of each piece, we'll make a prediction, albeit a very early prediction, about what each guy could command on the market. Of course, these predictions are subject to change***At the beginning of the season, if you would have told me that Russell Branyan was going to be the Mariners first baseman thr... Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:10:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Free_Agent_at_the_End_of_the_Season_Russell_Branyan/949040 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Free_Agent_at_the_End_of_the_Season_Russell_Branyan/949040 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Free_Agent_at_the_End_of_the_Season_Russell_Branyan/949040 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/6/96e156a8fd3c88e45b68eff5f58fbd7a3f9faad2/small/Russell_Branyan_5e72.jpg