July 2013 - Seattle Mariners Wiretap

Veteran outfielder Raul Ibanez has agreed to a one-year deal with the Angels, according to an ESPN.com report on Friday.

Multiple reports previously said the deal is for a $2.75M base salary and includes incentives that could increase the payout to $5M.

The Seattle Mariners could be a real contender for Masahiro Tanaka.

Teams are now able to negotiate with the Japanese right-hander.

Seattle outbid the New York Yankees to sign Robinson Cano, which has made them a threat this offseason.

"The Mariners are going to be a factor," one baseball official said. "They have a following in Japan. They enjoyed what they had when Ichiro (Suzuki) was on the team.

"They want the chance for moves like getting Cano to pay off. And they envision (Felix ) Hernandez paired with Tanaka at the top of the rotation."

The Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners remain possibilities for Kurt Suzuki.

The Chicago Cubs also have some interest in the veteran catcher.

The Seattle Mariners are showing continued interest in Ervin Santana, according to sources.

Santana had a 3.24 ERA in 32 starts for the Kansas City Royals in 2013.

The Seattle Mariners are close to bringing Franklin Gutierrez back on a one-year, Major League contract.

Gutierrez, 30, played the past five seasons for Seattle and was an American League Gold Glove winner in 2010. He has dealt with a variety of injuries over the last three seasons.

Seattle declined a $7 million option last month on a contract that originally paid Gutierrez about $19 million over the previous four years.

The Seattle Mariners have avoided arbitration with Charlie Furbush by agreeing to a 2014 contract.

Furbush, 27, appeared in a team-high 71 games last season. He was 2-6 with a 3.74 ERA and a .199 opponent batting average.

The agreement avoided a potential dispute over arbitration eligibility.

There is no traction in trade talks between the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners regarding Dustin Ackley.

New York reportedly inquired with Seattle about Ackley.

The Mariners signed Robinson Cano to a huge contract, creating a hole in the Yankees' infield.

Robinson Cano felt the New York Yankees lacked in their effort to re-sign him this offseason.

"I didn't feel respect. I didn't get respect from them and I didn't see any effort," Cano said.

Cano said he didn't think he'd leave New York, but the Yankees didn't appear to want him back.

New York's top offer was $175 million over seven years. The Seattle Mariners gave Cano a 10-year, $240 million deal.

The Seattle Mariners blew Robinson Cano away with a 10-year, $240 million contract, prying him away from the deep-pocketed New York Yankees.

"I was looking for a contract where I would just be able to play and focus on the game and wouldn't wonder when I'm 37, 38 would I have a job one day. Would I be able to play?" Cano said.

"The one thing in Seattle is I get the chance. Am I going to keep working hard? Yes. Even harder? Yes. I'm going to do my best and play the same way I was playing in New York and go out there and do my business and win games."

Seattle officially introduced Cano on Thursday.

Joaquin Benoit is seeking between $7 million and $10 million annually on the free agent market.

Benoit recorded a 2.01 ERA and 9.8 K/9 in 67 innings this past season.