Mariners decline options on Jose Lopez, Russell Branyan, Erik Bedard

Russell Branyan says his back feels great and he's ready to begin working out in preparation of playing for somebody in 2011.

That might not be the Mariners after the team on Wednesday declined contract options on Branyan, pitcher Erik Bedard and third baseman Jose Lopez. Branyan and Bedard are free agents, and the Mariners have until Dec. 2 to tender a contract to arbitration-eligible Lopez if they plan to keep him.

Branyan said he was informed a couple of days in advance that the Mariners would not be picking up his $5 million option. Seattle allowed Branyan to become a free agent last year, and he eventually signed an incentive-laden deal with Cleveland before the Mariners traded for him in June.

"They had some talks with my agent and would like to talk over the next couple of weeks, but they have their end-of-year meetings they're going through and want to do those first and see what direction they want to go in," Branyan said. "I liked my time in Seattle, but at the same time, it just brings other teams into the equation now. I went through this process last year and have a pretty good idea what to expect."

Branyan, sidelined by back problems in September, said he met with specialist Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles after the season. Branyan said Watkins was highly optimistic about what he saw and told him he should be able to resume regular workouts as long as he keeps strengthening his back.

"That's something I don't have to worry about," Branyan said. "As of right now, I feel fine. I feel good."

The Mariners made a series of moves Wednesday that cleared an additional six names off their 40-man roster. In doing so, they lost pitcher Brian Sweeney on a waiver claim to the Arizona Diamondbacks and saw outfielder Ryan Langerhans and catcher Guillermo Quiroz become free agents after declining outright assignments to the minor leagues.

Pitchers Sean White and Chris Seddon were both outrighted to Class AAA, while left-handed pitcher Ryan Feierabend was removed from the 40-man roster and is eligible to be a six-year minor-league free agent. The Mariners last month declined an option on pitcher Ian Snell, who opted to become a free agent rather than accept a minor-league assignment.

Lopez was to have made $5 million in 2011. He could be in line for an arbitration raise from the $2.75 million he earned in 2010, even though his offensive numbers declined substantially.

As for Bedard, it was a no-brainer for the team to decline his $8 million option. Bedard hasn't pitched since midway through the 2009 season and has undergone shoulder surgery three times in the past three seasons.

The Mariners gave Bedard a $1.5 million deal loaded with incentives this past season and could opt to do the same for 2011.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik declined to say what direction he'd head in with regards to Bedard or Branyan.

"As of this time, they are all free agents and can negotiate with any club the way any free agent can," Zduriencik said. "I'm not going to comment on which free agents we may or may not pursue."

Zduriencik also did not want to comment on where Lopez fits — if at all — in the team's plans for 2011.

"I'd rather not comment on that at this time," he said. "I don't see where that would serve any useful purpose."

Zduriencik also did not want to speculate on where Lopez could wind up salary-wise if the sides go to arbitration. Though Lopez's numbers did decline, salary reductions in arbitration tend to be rare and most players get raises over their previous seasons.

"Each case is individual and has particular circumstances," Zduriencik said.

Geoff Baker: 206-464-8286 or gbaker@seattletimes.com.

Read his daily blog at www.seattletimes.com/Mariners