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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
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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.
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