Mariners have a tough decision to make with Jack Wilson

Two months ago, Jack Wilson arrived in Seattle brimming with excitement. His upbeat mood was only uplifted when he literally walked into Safeco Field as Ken Griffey Jr. was hitting a game-winning double in the seventh inning to beat Toronto.

It seemed a match made in baseball heaven, and Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik reflected the Mariners' optimism in a news release announcing the trade with Pittsburgh that brought Wilson and Ian Snell. "This was an opportunity for us to acquire a veteran shortstop, a former All-Star player, with leadership qualities and above-average defensive skills," Zduriencik said. "As we move forward over the next few years it is nice to know that we have solidified the shortstop position."

But now that future appears to be more clouded than anticipated. The Mariners on Friday played their 15th consecutive game without Wilson.

In fact, manager Don Wakamatsu announced Wednesday that Wilson will not play again because of the bruised right heel he suffered against the White Sox on Sept. 15.

That's on top of a hamstring injury that forced him out of 10 games in August, and the flu-like symptoms that sidelined him for two more.

"It wasn't the best first impression," sighed Wilson. "I definitely would have loved to have gone out there and played better. It's frustrating. It's been a really tough year, mentally and physically."

First he had to deal with the constant trade rumors in Pittsburgh that eventually came to fruition. And instead of thriving in the heat of his first stretch-drive with a winning team, Wilson has struggled at the plate. He will finish with a .224 average in 31 games for the Mariners, with just six extra-base hits — five doubles and a homer.

"I don't feel I played [well] when I was here," Wilson said. "Injuries didn't help. I felt I was just starting to come along when I bruised my heel."

Wilson, 31, noted that he hit close to .300 (.286 in 56 at-bats) on the road with Seattle, but only .157 in 51 at-bats at home.

He said wryly, "Unfortunately, we've got a lot of home games."

The Mariners now must decide whether Wilson is indeed their shortstop of the future. Wakamatsu indicated the team knows they have not had a chance to see the player that was a fixture on defensive highlight reels and a competent bat during eight-plus seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"With him not being able to run like he can, and to be hampered by all those injuries, it would be real unfair for me to make a judgment on how good of a player this guy is," Wakamatsu said.

But the Mariners must indeed make a judgment soon on Wilson, whose contract expires at the end of the season. They can exercise an option for 2010 that will pay him $8.4 million next year, or pay a $600,000 buyout and allow Wilson to become a free agent.

They have a third option that might prove to be the most mutually beneficial, and that is to work out a long-term contract, one that would almost certainly pay Wilson a smaller salary next year but give him security. The Mariners were responsible for only $250,000 of the remainder of his $7.25 million salary in 2009 as part of the deal they struck with Pittsburgh.

"Jack has a strong interest in coming back," said Wilson's agent, Page Odle, in a phone interview. "I think he is very open to a longer-term deal and getting a chance to stay with the Mariners awhile. He's embraced his teammates and the city, and he thinks they have a chance to be a contending team."

Wilson said that he'd "100 percent" like to come back to the Mariners.

"It's beautiful here, a great place to play — great team, great teammates, great coaching staff. So I'm excited. There are a lot of benefits to us as a family, as well, being on the West Coast, much closer to home."

Zduriencik said Friday he's had "initial talks" with Wilson "and will continue to do that. ... We'll have some discussions with him and his agent as we go through to the end of the year.

"We made a trade for Jack Wilson because we think Jack Wilson can be a part of what we're doing in the future. Some pieces have to come together. Obviously, the contract is something we will have to discuss with him. And some other issues that we'll talk about as well."

Asked if the Mariners would keep Wilson if no extension can be worked out — by implication, exercising the 2010 option — Zduriencik said:

"Obviously, we will look at all options, but we have to make some decisions. I can't answer that in concrete right now. But certainly, you know what they are. ... You know what his contract is. So we'll address this as we go forward."

Wilson said ruefully: "I wish I would have played better to have made their decision a little easier."

(Seattle Times staff reporter Geoff Baker contributed to this report)

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com