It's OFFICIAL! Rauuuuul is back!

-Welcome Back Raul!-

That's right! Raul Ibanez is back in a Mariners uniform for the 2013 season. A signing that will bring a lot of mixed response from fans, but the main reason that Raul is getting this shot is because the Mariners are in need of some veteran leadership in the clubhouse. Quite possibly his heroics at the end of last season with the Yankees have made him a excellent choice as a pinch hitter as well, but either way, he fits a hole that the Mariners had in their roster.

Contract details have not yet surfaced, but I have to believe that this deal is incentive based and very low on the guaranteed money.

Mariners Have "Serious Interest" In Rauuuuuul Ibanez

-Ibanez at some younger age-

RAUUUUUUUUUUL! For that reason alone I would love to see Raul Ibanez come back to the Seattle Mariners. Yeah, it's sentimental, or is it just mental? Same reason I would love to see Jamie Moyer come back for a final year and the same reason I loved it when Griffey came back for the final year and tried for another. Now it's rumored that the Mariners could go a third round with Raul.

Is Raul someone that could add something to this team at age 40? Well, the Yankees sur got value from him all the way to the end last year. In fact, it was Raul that provided late game heroics in many pinch hit at bats in the playoffs and it was Raul that took the DH spot from Alex Rodriguez in the ALCS.

Home Grown in Washington! Who Else Could The Mariners Get?

-Lincicum as a Husky-

In honor of the latest free agent pick-ups by the Seattle Mariners, I was led to search through the MLB to find out what active players were born in Washington. Our recent Jason Bay and Jeremy Bonderman signings have helped in large part because this is their hometown team. Not that it would have been the end of the world if we didn't sign these guys, but it did give us an option unlike other free agents.

The Mariners just passed up signing Tim Lincicum in the draft and instead signed Brandon Morrow who we ended up trading straight across for Brandon League. Scouts missed on that one.

Mariners Take A Flyer On Jeremy Bonderman

-Bonderman with the Tigers-

It isn't the signing that we were waiting for before Christmas, but it is a signing. The Mariners are signing to Jeremy Bonderman to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. As usual, Jack Z is trying to get value out of bringing a player back from injury as Bonderman is working on a comeback from elbow reconstruction surgery.

Remember Bartolo Colon?

Bonderman has never been an excellent pitcher and may not even makes sense for the Mariners but obviously the Mariners see some value.

Mariners Land Kendrys Morales via Trade for Jason Vargas

-Morales After A Walk Off Against M's-

The Mariners search for some offense has led them to Kendrys Morales. After Josh Hamilton signed with the Angels last week, the Angels had too many outfielders and were looking to part with Peter Bourjos or Morales. Obviously the Mariners took advantage of the situation by taking off some dead weight from the Angels and in return, the Mariners are sending the Angels Jason Vargas.

Kendrys Morales, the same guy that killed the Mariners on way too many occasions. The same Morales that hit a walk off grand slam against the Mariners and fractured his leg in celebration stomping on home plate.

Nick Swisher - On a Date With the Indians

-Swisher-

As per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Nick Swisher is headed to Cleveland for a date with team president Mark Shapiro. Obviously this happens all the time with free agents as they have to explore all their options. The Mariners may have had dinner with Swisher as well, but no word has been spoken of that.

Is this a problem for the Mariners?

I guess that all depends on if you really like Nick Swisher and believe that he can help make this team any better. In my opinion, the negatives greatly outweigh the positives, especially now that we know Cleveland is in full pursuit of the free agent slugger. Here are a couple of things to be concerned about.

First off, Nick Swisher is going to get paid. He is the last standing free agent with any kind of bat available on the market. IF there are multiple teams bidding, Swisher's value will increase far above what he is actually worth.