Mariners make it official with Robinson Cano

By Shannon Drayer

It will be a busy day for the Mariners — not in Orlando, but in Seattle — as Robinson Cano has passed his physical and will be introduced at a 3 p.m. press conference from Safeco Field that you can hear live on 710 ESPN Seattle.

Can’t wait until 3? Well, tune in at 1 when Cano joins “Bob and Groz”.

The deal is indeed for 10 years and $240 million and includes a full no-trade clause and award bonuses. As reported on Twitter earlier this week, he will wear No. 22, which he wore when he broke into the big leagues.

The official announcement comes as the winter meetings wind down. The Rule 5 Draft, which marks the end of the meetings, took place earlier Thursday morning and the Mariners did not pick up any players in the major- or minor-league portions of the draft. They did, however, lose pitchers Brian Moran and Jose Valdivia, who were selected by the Angels.

The Rangers made the headlining grab of the draft, selecting Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in the minor-league portion. Wilson, who has not played baseball since the 2010-2011 season, was still property of the Rockies and was available to be selected.

A good number of the-Rangers-now-having-the-best-quarterback-in-Texas quips ensued, but president and general manager Jon Daniels was looking for a little bit more than a headline. He would like Wilson to come into camp this spring and talk to his minor leaguers. Not a bad idea at all.

Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com has the details, including Wilson’s reaction when he learned he had been drafted.