Brad Wilkerson and the Mariners agreed Thursday to a $3M, one-year deal, a move that could signal Seattle is close to finally acquiring Erik Bedard from Baltimore.

Talks between the Orioles and Mariners regarding pitcher Erik Bedard are still alive but appear to have been placed on low heat, according to ESPN.

It looks like the Mariners are setting in motion a chain of events that will land them Orioles ace Erik Bedard, according to reports in the Seattle Times.

The Mariners signed Horacio Ramirez to a one-year contract Friday, avoiding salary arbitration with the lefthander.

The Mariners agreed to minor league contracts Wednesday with 18-year-old Japanese right-hander Kenta Suda and 17-year-old Taiwanese righty Yao Wen Chang.

Left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes is back with the Mariners, agreeing Tuesday to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

The Mariners have instructed prized outfield prospect Adam Jones to leave the Venezuelan Winter League and return home.

A right elbow injury that limited right-hander Chris Reitsma to 26 appearances last season has improved enough for the Mariners to offer the veteran reliever another chance to establish himself in Seattle's bullpen.

The Mariners on Tuesday signed free agent infielder Miguel Cairo to a one-year contract.

The Mariners are continuing their aggressive pursuit of Erik Bedard major-league sources say, and there are growing indications that the teams could be moving closer to a deal.

The scenario the Seattle Mariners knew was likely became a little more so Thursday, when the Baltimore Orioles said their current plans are to open the 2008 season with left-hander Erik Bedard as their ace.