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Mariners Reportedly Make Offers to Griffey

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<i> From Associated Press</i>

Ken Griffey Jr. has been offered several contract alternatives worth at least $105 million, The Seattle Times reported Monday.

Griffey said he had not yet responded formally to the team’s multiple offers, all of which reach the level of Kevin Brown’s record $105-million, seven-year deal with the Dodgers, the paper said.

“Just to get it done? I don’t think so, not with two years on my present contract,” he was quoted as saying.

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Speaking before Monday night’s season opener against Chicago, Griffey refused to confirm the offers.

Griffey has two seasons left in a $34-million, four-year contract, one that made him baseball’s highest-paid player when he agreed to the extension in January 1996.

Seattle also wants to work out an extension with All-Star shortstop Alex Rodriguez, who has two seasons left in a $10.6-million, five-year deal and will be eligible for free agency at the unusually young age of 25.

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The Baltimore Orioles remembered Cal Ripken Sr. on opening day.

Before their game against Tampa Bay, the Orioles unveiled a large, orange “7” (Ripken’s number) in the third-base coaching box, where Ripken did most of his work in Baltimore.

Ripken, who died March 24 of lung cancer at age 63, served 36 years with the Orioles as a player, scout, coach and manager.

Former shortstop Mark Belanger, minor league outfielder Joel Stephens and video coach Jeff Nelson were also remembered.

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The Minnesota Twins will beat the Toronto Blue Jays in their season opener. In fact, they’ve guaranteed it.

Undaunted by a bargain-basement roster that includes 10 rookies, the Twins have come up with a marketing plan that “guarantees” a win each Tuesday night this season.

If the players don’t come through, each fan’s ticket stub is worth a free seat to a future home game any day except Fridays and Saturdays.

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