October 6
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"
The Colorado Rockies reportedly are outrighting third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and will be in the market this offseason for a new glove at the hot corner. There's plenty of speculation about which players the Rockies might pursue, with the New York Mets' David Wright at the top of the list. Other potential targets, according to Troy Renck of The Denver Post, include Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox, the San Diego Padres' Chase Headley? and the Pittsburgh Pirates' Pedro Alvarez. But Jason Churchill of ESPN Rumor Central (subscription) and Prospect Insider, suggests the Rockies could go a cheaper route – trade for Mariners outcast Chone Figgins."
September 16
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"
Mariners third baseman Chone Figgins, who signed with the team after the 2009 season to much fanfare and the tune of $36 million over four years, clearly is not in the organization's long-range plans. But what to do with a utility player who is still owed $17 million over the next two seasons? Keep him on the bench? Cut him in the offseason? Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner has a suggestion: Trade him to the San Francisco Giants for left-hander Barry Zito. The proposal is in the mold of the deal that sent Carlos Silva to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Milton Bradley before the 2010 season. Both players had bad contracts and were no longer in the plans of their respective teams. A"
July 15
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"
Seattle Mariners rookie Kyle Seager wasn't in the lineup against the Rangers on Thursday, with the Rangers throwing left-hander Derek Holland. But manager Eric Wedge said he's not planning to sit Seager against every lefty the Mariners see. Still, for a night, at least, Seager's absence from the lineup gave Chone Figgins another chance to start at third base, an occasion about as rare as a Jack Cust home run these days. Don't expect him to get too many more, though. At least not in Seager's stead. The rookie struggled in his first series in the big leagues, recording just one hit in his first 12 at-bats. Wedge made it clear Seager isn't a platoon player, though. "We're going to have a few"
June 14
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"
Ichiro and Chone Figgins have been the anonymous but obvious subjects of Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge's season-long proclamation that there are veterans on his team who need to perform better. The statements are sometimes vague — the veterans need to get it going. We're doing the same damn things over and over again. If the veterans could only pick it up … — but there is little secret as to the identity of the players for which those words are intended (though you can likely throw Jack Cust in there, too). Wedge has addressed Figgins and Ichiro by name on numerous occasions, speaking openly about their struggles to date, but typically groups them subtly into the category of"
June 1
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
columnist Jim Moore
"
Last month I wrote that Chone Figgins had managed to overtake Bobby Ayala to become my most disliked Mariner of all-time. Sherman Polinder, a reader, thought I was too harsh in that column and sent me an email: "May I make a friendly suggestion?" Polinder asked. "Would you consider apologizing publicly to Figgins? Apologize and give him some encouragement. He may respond. There is a fine line between success and failure in this business. "If you would be willing to take that albatross off his back , he may lighten up just enough that he would start relaxing at the plate. "The reason I'm approaching you is because I think you're man enough to do something like this. Why"
May 26
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"
Chone Figgins probably can't get you a hit, but he can get you a great deal on a pint of beer. Norm's Eatery and Alehouse in Fremont, previously famous for its dog-friendly policies, is offering Widmer drafts on Mondays for the same price as the Mariners third baseman's batting average, KIROTV.com reported. If today were Monday, that would mean $2.02 for a beer. It's not a new idea, but it's always entertaining."
July 26
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
columnist Art Thiel
"
Way too late to make a difference in the season, the Mariners nevertheless have found a formula for success: The Don-Chone Donnybrook! Whenever things start to get sideways with the win-loss record, manager Don Wakamatsu and second baseman Chone Figgins know now to throw down. Doesn't make much sense, I know. This season, what has? Nevertheless, it is inarguable that since the Friday night televised dugout dust-up, the Mariners are 2-0, both over the Boston Red Sox, who leave Seattle with a mere series split, as well as a notion of what it feels like to be gummed to death. Sunday at Safeco, the Mariners deployed a two-bunt, two-bloop barrage in the eighth inning to score three runs and"
July 25
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"
There were few answers Saturday afternoon following the scuffle in the Mariners' dugout on Friday night. Chone Figgins sat at his locker but Casey Kotchman became his unofficial spokesperson telling waiting media that Figgins was not ready to talk about it yet. When approached again later, Figgins chose not to speak. That left manager Don Wakamatsu to comment. The team had what Wakamatsu said was a five-minute meeting to talk about last night, accountability and coming together as a club. "I said it last night, there's a lot of guys in this clubhouse and coaches, we want to win every ballgame we're in," Wakamatsu said. "There (are) a lot of emotions that fly. We're playing some pretty good"
April 7
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"
One game into the new season, Chone Figgins is on pace to steal 324 bases, Ichiro Suzuki 162 - and they need to fix a few things. No. 1, Ichiro needs to let Figgins know when he's about to take off - and opening night was the perfect example. Ichiro stole second base and, with Figgins at the plate and a 3-1 count, Ichiro lit out for third, where he was called out on a close play. Would it have made any difference if Figgy knew Ichiro was going? "If Ichiro lets Figgins know, Figgins can square around at the plate and force the third baseman to make a choice - charge the plate or play back," manager Don Wakamatsu said. "Most third baseman are going to come in, and if they don't and Figgins"
December 8
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"
One of the worst-kept secrets of baseball's Winter Meetings was finalized Tuesday as the Seattle Mariners announced the signing of free-agent infielder Chone Figgins to a four-year deal. The contract also carries an option for a potential fifth season in 2014. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Associated Press has reported the contract at $36 million, with a possible vested option for another $9 million for the fifth season. "We see Chone as a great fit for our ball club and the city of Seattle," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement released by the team. "We anticipate an exciting time watching Ichiro and Chone batting at the top of our lineup. "He is an"