Ken Griffey Jr. picks Braves over Mariners?

Ken Griffey Jr. decided to sign with the Atlanta Braves instead of the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday, according to a Seattle Times source, but the veteran slugger told mlb.com that he had not made a final decision.

The package with the Braves is worth between $2 million and $3 million in total compensation. Details are still being worked out this morning.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution also reported that Griffey would sign with the Braves, citing a source familiar with the negotiations.

Griffey denied he had made a decision, mlb.com reported on its Web site.

"We are still kicking things around with my family and have not made a decision," Griffey was quoted as saying from his Orlando, Fla., home. "This is the first time in my career that I have been a free agent, and it's nerve-wracking."

The 39-year-old said he hopes to make a decision later Tuesday or early Wednesday morning.

Griffey said it was a difficult decision because "I love Seattle," but the Braves offer him a chance to stay closer to home.

"You know how close I am to my wife and kids," he told the Web site.

The Mariners had made a strong pitch to bring Griffey back to Seattle, the city where he made his major-league debut and became one of baseball's biggest stars.

But Griffey lives in Orlando, Fla., just a short flight to Atlanta, and is believed to have wanted to be closer to home and his family.

Griffey and Braves general manager Frank Wren met Monday night in Orlando. Wren and Griffey's agent were scheduled to meet today in an effort to finalize a deal.

The Mariners met with Griffey on Sunday.

The Braves will be adding a 13-time All-Star who's one of six players to hit 600 or more home runs. The 39-year-old Griffey played his first 11 seasons with the Mariners and was the American League MVP in 1997.

The Braves and Mariners made similar offers, believed to be in the range of $2 million guaranteed, with incentives tied to staying healthy and getting a lot of plate appearances.

Griffey is expected to play primarily in left field for the Braves, probably in a platoon role right-handed hitter Matt Diaz, though Griffey could also play against some lefty pitchers. The Mariners would have used Griffey as a designated hitter.

Griffey had offseason knee surgery and struggled last season, when he hit .249 with 18 homers and 71 runs batted in for the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox. Griffey's career has been hit by a series of serious injuries after leaving Seattle.