To learn about our efforts to improve the accessibility and usability of our website, please visit our Accessibility Information page. Skip to section navigation or Skip to main content
Below is an advertisement.
The Official Site of the Seattle Mariners
  • Japan.Mariners.com
  • Español.Mariners.com
MLB.com
Sun Microsystems

Official Info

Skip to main content
 
Below is an advertisement.

12/03/2008 1:47 PM ET
Mariners sign free agent Russell Branyan to contract
Veteran left-handed power hitter has hit 133 career Major League home runs
tickets for any Major League Baseball game
ADVERTISEMENT
print this pageprint this page    |    e-mail this pagee-mail this page

SEATTLE -- Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik announced today that the club has signed free agent infielder Russell Branyan to a one-year contract. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"Russell gives us a veteran left-handed bat with power and can be used as a first baseman, third baseman or designated hitter," said Zduriencik. "One of our off-season goals is to add some left-handed power to our club. The addition of Russell accomplished some of that."

Branyan, 32 (turns 33 Dec. 19), is a veteran of 11 Major League seasons, last playing with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008. In 50 games with the Brewers last season, Branyan batted .250 (33-for-132) with 8 doubles, 12 home runs and 20 RBI. In his first month with the Brewers (May-June), Branyan combined to bat .276 (24-for-87) with 15 runs scored, 5 doubles, 11 home runs and 18 RBI in 29 games. He started the season with Nashville (AAA), batting .359 (55-for-153) with 12 homers and 36 RBI in 45 games with the Sounds prior to being called up on May 25.

In 50 games, Branyan made 35 starts (3B - 33, 1B - 2) and hit .455 (5-for-11) with 2 home runs as a pinch-hitter. Among National League players with at least 10 plate appearances as a pinch-hitter, Branyan ranked fourth in batting average and tied for second in home runs. He missed over a month of the season with a right oblique strain (Aug. 13-Sept. 23) and did not make the Brewers post-season roster.

In 11 seasons in the Majors, Branyan has a career batting average of .230 with 133 home runs and 320 RBI in 766 games. He has played for the Cleveland Indians (1998-2002), Cincinnati Reds (2002-03), Milwaukee Brewers (2004-05, 2008), Tampa Bay Rays (2006), San Diego Padres (2006-07), Philadelphia Phillies (2007) and St. Louis Cardinals (2007). Over the last three seasons, Branyan has suited up in five different Major League uniforms.
print this pageprint this page    |    e-mail this pagee-mail this page