--LF Raul Ibanez, a free agent to be, has talked to new GM Jack Zduriencik, and Zduriencik also has talked to his agents, Sam and Seth Levinson. Zduriencik is open to keeping Ibanez, the team's RBI leader in 2008, in town and is trying to gauge Ibanez's level of interest. The Cubs, Rockies, Phillies, Red Sox and Mets might be interested.
--RHP Josh Fields isn't a Mariner yet, but GM Jack Zduriencik and Fields' agent, Scott Boras, are trying to find time to talk and perhaps restart the stalled contract negotiations between the club and its first-round draft pick (20th overall) out of the University of Georgia. "I know a lot about Fields," Zduriencik said. "In terms of his ability, he is a first-round draft pick. I'd like to talk (to Boras) about why he thinks it hasn't gotten done." Boras and Fields had been looking for a $2 million payout, and the Mariners had hoped to get a deal done for about $500,000 less. --3B Adrian Beltre won the American League Gold Glove Award for the second year running. Beltre is in the Dominican Republic recuperating from thumb and shoulder surgery and should be ready for spring training come February.
--RF Ichiro Suzuki's switch from center to right field during the middle of the season didn't hurt his defensive reputation. He won his eighth consecutive Gold Glove Award for defensive excellence.
--RHP Junichi Tazawa, who threw for the Nippon Oil team in Japan's industrial league this season, is one of the players the Mariners have targeted as a possible international acquisition in the offseason. However, the Braves and the Red Sox are among the other teams interested.
BY THE NUMBERS: 8 -- RF Ichiro Suzuki likes the number. He has won Gold Gloves eight years running, had 20 hits eight years running and has scored 100 runs eight years running.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I like Willie; he's a very confident guy. I saw his first major league hit. (Recently) I sat in on his managerial interview in Milwaukee. He and I go back a long way with the Mets." -- GM Jack Zduriencik, on potential managerial candidate Willie Randolph. Randolph wound up taking a job as the Brewers' bench coach.
