Mariners sign Eric Byrnes to 1-year deal

The Mariners are giving Eric Byrnes a chance to resurrect his career, signing the outfielder to a one-year contract Friday, barely a week after the Arizona Diamondbacks released him.

Arizona must pay the remaining $11 million on Byrnes' contract, leaving the Mariners to take only a minimum-salary ($400,000) gamble on a player who was a productive fan favorite in Arizona until injuries hit hard the past two seasons.

Byrnes, who turns 34 next month, said the Mariners were one of the first teams to contact him after Arizona released him. The Diamondbacks initially designated Byrnes for assignment Jan. 14, when they signed free agent Adam LaRoche.

"Once I talked to Jack (Zduriencik, M's general manager), I knew this was the right fit," Byrnes said in a conference call with Seattle reporters. "It was just a matter of figuring out what other opportunities I had out there.

"Right away, I just kind of felt this was the place I could contribute. It was a team I felt had a great chance of winning the American League West, and potentially the American League, if not the World Series."

Since breaking through with a career year in 2007 that earned him a three-year, $30 million contract extension, Byrnes has been hampered by a series of injuries. He hurt both of his hamstrings in 2008 and missed much of last year with a fractured left hand.

Now, Byrnes said, "My legs are as healthy as they've ever been. I'm excited to put together a full season and help the Mariners win a lot of games."

The right-handed hitter will battle for playing time in left field. He said he's content to accept a platoon role.

"Speaking to Jack, the role wasn't necessarily specified, other than the fact he believed I would contribute," Byrnes said. "That's all I needed to hear. I'm healthy for the first time in two years. I just needed a team to believe in me half as much as I believe in myself. Speaking to Jack, that's what I felt."

In a news release, Zduriencik said of the signing, "We think Eric is a great fit for our team. He is a high-energy player with a veteran presence. We look forward to him competing for a spot on our roster when spring training starts."

In 2007, Byrnes played 160 games for a Diamondbacks team that made it to the National League Championship Series. He scored 103 runs, hit .286 with a .353 on-base percentage, had 21 homers, 83 runs batted in and 50 stolen bases.

But in 2008, Byrnes fell to .209 in just 52 games and hit .226 last year in 84 games.

"Now it's a matter of getting back on the field and proving to the Mariners and the rest of baseball I'm healthy and still have the ability to play at a high level," Byrnes said.

First baseman Tommy Everidge, whom the Mariners claimed off waivers from Oakland on Jan. 15, was designated for assignment to make room for Byrnes on the 40-man roster.

FanFest this weekend

The Mariners will hold their 12th annual FanFest at Safeco Field on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ryan Rowland-Smith, Casey Kotchman, Chone Figgins, David Aardsma, Rob Johnson, Mark Lowe and manager Don Wakamatsu are among those scheduled to make autograph-signing appearances. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6-14. Children 5 and under are free. Parking at the Safeco Field garage is $10.

On Saturday, the Mariners will hold a "garage sale" of memorabilia at Safeco to help Haitian relief.

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