Mariners Reportedly Make Offers to Griffey

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.

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.

*

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.

*

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.