And the mystery free agent is…

Russell Branyan.

The 33 year old Branyan is about the the caliber of player I expected out of this signing, and I am overall pleased with the acquisition.  He’s signed to a one year deal at just $1.4M.   A few people guessed Branyan; a solid prediction considering Seattle’s needs and the Milwaukee Brewers connection.

Branyan, one of baseball’s top prospects in the late-90s, fills a few different holes for Seattle.  He provides big time left-handed power, can play at 1B or DH (plus 3B and OF in a pinch), and draws walks at an above average clip.

I was tied up this morning, so other sites beat me to the analysis.  Check out what USS Mariner, Lookout Landing and Prospect Insider had to say.

Basically, everyone acknowledges Branyan’s flaws–  he strikes out a ton, nearly 40% of the time, is a  limited defender, and is completely useless against left-handed pitching– but the consensus is that this is a good first signing by GM Jack Zduriencik.  A no risk signing, and Branyan will provide an upgrade at 1B/DH or on the bench, depending on what happens the rest of the offseason.

Branyan would have to be used in a strict platoon in order to maximize his output.  Last season in limited duty he hit .280/.377/.653 against righties, while going 0-for-14 against lefties.  In his career, his OPS is nearly 100 points lower against lefties.   In the big leagues he’s been allowed to face them scarcely, logging just 328 plate appearances against southpaws compared to 1991 against righties.

Zduriencik might have other plans, though.

From Geoff Baker:

“In my case, it’s always been the situation,” [Branyan] said. “The more I get to play, the at-bats get better.”

Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said he’s prepared to “give Russell as many at-bats as he’s had in his career.”

Branyan will get a shot at the everyday first base job.

“It looks that way,” Zduriencik said. “I know what Russell can do.”

Branyan is a lefty hitter, but has no qualms with facing southpaws.

“I enjoy facing lefty pitchers,” he added. “If I had it my way. I’d play every day.”

The added exposure to lefties, he added, helps him keep his swing from getting too long.

And make no mistake, Zduriencik sounds very much like a man who has found his opening day first baseman.

“This is one of the bigger raw power bats out there — period,” he said.

This is Zduriencik’s first big league acquisition of the offseason, so it’s too early to tell if Branyan will get all of the reps at 1B or if he’ll get pushed to the bench by someone else, but if Branyan is routinely sent to the plate against lefties the move will almost certainly invoke criticism from the fans/blogosphere and some media.

We’ll see how it works out.  You should be encouraged by this signing though; great low-risk move, and something Bill Bavasi would never have done.

Looking back through Zduriencik’s track record, this move goes along with his love for high-OBP power hitters.  I’m alright with bringing in those types of players for the most part, but Zduriencik’s weakness could end up being his inability to field a passable defense because of it.  We won’t be able to determine that until the season rolls around, however.