George Sherrill has passed his physical and signed a one-year deal with the Mariners. The left-handed reliever agreed to the $1.1 million deal the week before Christmas, but didn't get to Seattle for his physical until after the holiday as he and his wife were caring for their newborn son. "It's good to have everything done and know for sure what's going on," Sherrill said.

Mariners manager Eric Wedge raised eyebrows when he said he'll move Ichiro Suzuki out of the leadoff role if it suits the club. Wedge said he discussed it with Ichiro and that the man from Japan has given this his approval.

The Rangers are still believed to be the leaders in the race for free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder. The Cubs and Mariners are both denying interest in Fielder. Washington is also very active in the Fielder sweepstakes.

Following reports that the Mariners had have advanced talks with free-agent Prince Fielder, Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik has refuted rumors. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that the Mariners "made Prince Fielder an offer [or at least told him what they'd pay]," but that "Seattle people love him, but said to have $ limits." When contacted, Zduriencik maintained the same stance he's had since the free-agent period began last month. "I got a bunch of calls this morning on a bunch of subjects and players we're connected with," he said. "But I'm not going to comment on free-agent players. That's the end of it. We'll do our due diligence, and I'm not going to say anything more." Zduriencik is well aware that the rival Angels and Rangers have made major splashes this offseason, but indicated that shouldn't lead the Mariners to panic and veer from their own plan. "There's no question that both those clubs have helped themselves and both were really good as it was," he said. "Now, the Angels get Pujols and [C.J.] Wilson and Texas gets Yu Darvish. But we're not going to deviate from our course. We're a little further away than those clubs. We have a plan in place. "I really like our pitching at the upper Minor League level and on our Major League staff. We're not going to make any decisions that will hurt our long-term plan. We're doing what we're doing, and when it's the right time, whether now or in the future, we'll do what needs to be done. We're not going to change from that."

The top bid for right-hander Yu Darvish's negotiating rights will exceed the $51.1 million bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2006 as the highest in the history of posting of Japanese players, according to a report. The Red Sox put up $51.1 million for Dice-K five years ago and he has disappointed since. Citing Japanese baseball officials, Saturday's report contradicts the previously reported amount of about $48 million to be paid to the Nippon-Ham Fighters. The Blue Jays, Mariners, Marlins, Nationals, Rangers, Red Sox and Yankees are among the Major League teams that have been mentioned as possibly in the sealed bidding for the negotiating rights for the right-hander's services.

The Mariners are on the verge of bringing reliever George Sherrill back under a one-year, $1.1 million deal. The contract has incentives for the left-hander and is believed to be pending a physical.

The Cubs are believed to be the front-runners to sign free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder. Negotiations are in the early stages and currently the Mariners are Chicago's closest competition. Neither the Rangers nor Marlins will bid on Fielder, according to major league sources.

The Mariners have re-signed backup catcher Chris Gimenez to a one-year contract, two days after he was non-tendered by the club. Seattle announced the move Wednesday.

As many as four teams are after free-agent outfielder Josh Willingham. A Cleveland radio report says Willingham is down to the Rockies, Mariners, Indians and Twins. Willingham's top two, The Denver Post notes, were said to the Twins and Indians. He may have to wait for Michael Cuddyer to sign in order to have the market set for his value.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik downplayed a report Tuesday that his team is the current leader for free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder. Former Reds and Nationals general manager Jim Bowden, now an analyst, created some stir by tweeting that the Mariners were "the front-runners" at the moment. "I don't want to talk about Prince, but I would say the wording of that is misleading," Zduriencik said. "Because you don't know, on any free agent, I have no clue how many clubs are in on any free agent that we're talking to. "Even today, the guys I've sat with tell me they've got five clubs interested in their player or players," he said. "And in any case, how do you know that? Another ballclub is not going to tell you. As I've said with all of this stuff, I'd prefer to be low key on any discussion. My style is not to build up a big fanfare. Sometimes these things get legs of their own. "To say anybody is a front-runner, I don't know how that would have come out."