"The Seattle Mariners reshaped their 2011 plans Wednesday, declining contract options on Jose Lopez, Russell Branyan and Erik Bedard while trimming their 40-man roster to 30.

Outfielder Ryan Langerhans and catcher Guillermo Quiroz declined outright minor league assignments and became free agents, right-handed pitcher Brian Sweeney was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks and pitchers Ryan Feierabend, Chris Seddon and Sean White were outrighted to Tacoma.

The decision to decline the options on Lopez, Branyan and Bedard saved the Mariners $17 million.

It also made Bedard and Branyan free agents, while Lopez remains arbitration-eligible and under team control. The team will pursue trade possibilities, but it's unlikely Lopez will be in a Mariners uniform next season.

"We made our decisions and will move forward," general manager Jack Zduriencik said.

Branyan and Lopez often batted third and fourth in Seattle's lineup, spots vacant for now unless the team wants to make Justin Smoak its cleanup hitter.

"It's hard to have kids fill those roles, although they may fit in," Zduriencik said. "We're wide open to options that will improve the team and upgrade our offense."

Bedard, a 31-year-old left-hander acquired in a trade in 2008, didn't throw a pitch for the Mariners in 2010 and hasn't been able to get or stay healthy in Seattle. Over three seasons, he's won 11 games and had three surgeries.

The Mariners declined his $8 million option, paying a $250,000 buyout.

Branyan, a 34-year-old first baseman/designated hitter, hit 25 home runs in 109 games - 15 of those homers coming in his 57 games with Seattle. Acquired from Cleveland on June 26, Branyan wound up leading the Mariners in home runs.

He also missed the final 16 games with back problems, and has a history of similar issues. The Mariners held a $5 million option on Branyan for 2011, but the Indians are responsible for his buyout."