Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract

Jack Wilson said it took him "an hour, an hour and a half" after his arrival in July to decide that Seattle was a place he wanted to stay.

Working out a deal took slightly longer, but on Friday the Mariners re-signed the veteran shortstop to a two-year, $10-million contract.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said that he envisioned Wilson as the team's shortstop beyond 2009 when he acquired him from Pittsburgh on July 29. The deal sent catcher Jeff Clement, infielder Ronny Cedeno and three minor-league pitchers to the Pirates.

"I saw him play many games when I was with Milwaukee and he was with Pittsburgh, and I always admired him," Zduriencik said. "He was one of those pain-in-the-butt guys. He's a superb defensive player, and I'm extremely happy he'll be with us for the next two years."

The Mariners on Friday declined Wilson's $8.4 million option for 2010, paying him a $600,000 buyout, before consummating the new contract that will pay Wilson $5 million in both 2010 and '11.

"There's no guy in baseball that wouldn't tell you they want that shortstop position solidified with a prime defensive player, and we did that," Zduriencik said. "It's just the right thing for us at this time."

Wilson struggled with injuries after the July 29 trade that brought him and pitcher Ian Snell from the Pirates. He hit just .224 in 31 games and said that giving the Mariners an improved performance was a motivating factor for him to return.

"I'm really happy to have a chance to show Jack what he saw in Pittsburgh," Wilson said. "I saw enough of the American League in the time I was there, plus interleague play, to know I can make an adjustment to a different style of game."

Wilson, who turns 32 in December, believes that he is over his hamstring and heel injuries ("I feel great; absolutely great. Health-wise, I'm 100 percent") and has already begun conditioning for next year.

"There's nothing like a rough year to give you an extra incentive to do more in the offseason," he said. "That's always a positive."

Wilson, who was in San Francisco when the trade was made, arrived at Safeco in the seventh inning of a game with Toronto. The Mariners had him at Ken Griffey Jr.

"I just watched the last couple of innings, and there was such an aura around the stadium," he recalled. "I literally walked into the dugout as Junior hit a bases-loaded double to take the lead in the eighth. I said right then, 'Man, this looks like a fun place to be.' "

Wilson's agent, Page Odle, said he had been talking with the Mariners for more than a month.

Wilson was in Seattle on Thursday for a physical exam prior to finalizing the contract on Friday.

He earned the Fielding Bible Award as the best fielding shortstop in the majors in 2009, and ranked third in the majors for most "Web Gem" points on ESPN's Baseball Tonight.

"This is what Jack wanted," Odle said. "He really had a good experience, and he didn't want to leave Seattle with a bitter taste in his mouth. Once he was injured, he didn't feel he showed what he could do. He felt this was the place he needed to be. I think it's a good fit all the way around."

In addition to the $10 million over two years, Wilson's contract includes performance bonuses that can earn him an additional $250,000 each season ($50,000 for 450 plate appearances, and $100,000 each for 500 and 550 plate appearances).

Wakamatsu: Wetteland reports blown out of proportion

Mariner manager Don Wakamatsu talked to M's bullpen coach John Wetteland on Friday and said he now believes that all the talk Thursday about suicide and mental health issues were highly premature.

"He's doing great," Wakamatsu said. "A lot of things got blown out of proportion. He had a domestic dispute — an argument. His blood pressure raced, and obviously his wife called the police. The next thing you know, it's about suicide. It had nothing to do with that."

Wakamatsu added, "It's absolutely amazing. I get a call at 3 yesterday, there's helicopters, a reported suicide at the Wetteland resident. It's really a joke. John's doing great. After he went to the hospital because his heart rate was elevated, he spent the night with Michele at the house. They're both in good spirits. Everyone gets into arguments. It's unfortunate it was blown out of proportion nationally."

According to a report by the CBS affiliate in Dallas, officials in Denton County, Texas, said Wetteland was hospitalized for a mental health issue.

According to the CBS report, the Denton County Sheriff's office said they took a call from the Argyle/Bartonville area around 12:30 p.m. CST Thursday on a possibly suicidal person. When officers arrived to the home, a man later identified as Wetteland came out with his hands in the air, saying he "needed help."

Wetteland said in the statement Thursday, "The circumstances leading to my elevated blood pressure and heart rate have been addressed. I am currently resting safely at home."

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com. More columns at www.seattletimes.com/columnists