Who Says You Can't Go Home?

Looks like Ken Griffey Jr is returning home, to the Seattle Mariners.

According to various reports, Junior notified the Atlanta Braves that he'd be returning to play for the Mariners:

Two baseball sources said that Griffey made his decision after two days of debating between Atlanta, which is close to his home in Orlando, Fla., and Seattle, where he's been a fan favorite since breaking in with the Mariners as a 19-year-old phenom in 1989.

Griffey spent last season split between the Reds and the White Sox.

His 2008 totals were as follows;

BA: .249, 18 HR, 71 RBI, .424 Slugg%.

Heilman Sent Packing Again

The Seattle Mariners sent starter and or reliever Aaron Heilman to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for infielder Ronny Cedeno and starter Garrett Olson.

Olson was recently acquired by the Cubbies, who had sent outfielder Felix Pie to the Orioles in exchange for the left handed starting pitcher.

Heilman, initially expected to compete for a spot in the Mariners starting rotation, will now battle the likes of Sean Marshall for the fifth spot in Chicago's starting five.

Olson was considered to be a key component in the on again - off again Jake Peavey trade rumors that have dominated Chicago and San Diego newspaper headlines this offseason.

Trade Between O's and Space Needles Imminent

According to ESPN.com News Services "The Seattle Mariners have asked talented young outfielder Adam Jones to leave his Venezuelan Winter League team and return to the United States amid reports he's about to be included in a trade for Baltimore Orioles left-hander Erik Bedard."

Jones, the centerpiece (besides Bedard) in the deal makes for an interesting situation in Baltimore. If the deal goes through, the O's would have a younger center fielder with a greater upside than they did coming into the off season. Last season, Corey Patterson manned center field for the Birds. But, according to a January 8 posting on MLB.com's website, "The Orioles, who did not offer Patterson arbitration in December, may bring him back if they do not trade for a center fielder, the Baltimore Sun reported. Team president Andy MacPhail acknowledged that he spoke with Patterson's agent to confirm the team's interest and the two sides will keep in touch."

If the trade goes through, Patterson's future with the club will most likely be in doubt. It would be interesting to see, this late in the off season which clubs are in the market for Patterson's services.