"Meet Chone Figgins, the Mariners' latest player-turned-salesman. Listen to their newly-signed infielder as he talks about his new team and its new image.

Ask him, for instance, what he would say to third baseman Adrian Beltre that might convince free agent Beltre to stay in Seattle. Listen to the palpable optimism this former Los Angeles Angels third baseman is feeling.

"I would tell him [Beltre] that he knows that this organization is trying to move in the direction of trying to win a division," Figgins said at Tuesday morning's news conference. "If you're willing to win and want to win and want to play in a place where you're comfortable, this is the place for you to be. Your decision is easy for you.

"I think he knows which way the organization is going. I know he knows it's a lot of upside. He knows the city. He knows the travel. He knows it's a great place to play."

The point here is that Figgins and the Mariners have a vision for 2K10 and beyond. And Figgins believes the rest of baseball is beginning to take notice.

Figgins is another incandescent presence in the Mariners' clubhouse and another sprinter-with-a-bat at the top of the M's order. He is the first puzzle piece of what promises to be a busy and thrilling offseason.

Next on the agenda is completing a trade for former Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee even if, when asked about the trade Tuesday, Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik set a team record for most "no comments" in a news conference.

"Today is about Chone Figgins," Zduriencik said.

Figgins fits.

He is perfect for manager Don Wakamatsu's "Go-Go M's" style of small ball, gold gloves and tightfisted pitching.

"They just had a different mentality on the field this season," Figgins said, comparing the 2009 Mariners with their recent predecessors."