Outfielder Mike Wilson, who's spent seven years in the Seattle minor league system, was added to the Mariners 40-man roster for the simplest of reasons.

"He's a tremendous power guy and we lack a little power," GM Jack Zduriencik said.

Wilson, 25, hit .276 with 26 doubles, two triples, 27 home runs and 84 RBI in 119 games for Class AA West Tennessee in 2008.

After a failed attempt at switch-hitting, Wilson is now a straight right-handed hitter.

"I think Raul has earned a call from the new general manager," Zduriencik said. "It was a conversation of respect. I told him I knew a lot about him through mutual acquaintances - and he said he'd heard a lot about me, too."

"It was an introduction for both of us," Zduriencik said.

Among the dozens of assistant GMs wandering the halls of the St. Regis was Bob Boone.

Boone, the father of Bret and Aaron, is a former manager and once came to spring training for Seattle - and didn't make the team.

Now, he's with the Washington Nationals.
As he walked by a handsome, manly writer he knew well, Boone asked how things were going.

"Would you like to be a managerial candidate in Seattle?" the writer asked.

"Sure, put me on the list," Boone said.

So, GM Meeting Update!!

Bob Boone is a possible candidate for the vacant Mariners managerial job.

That's how it works here....

Dateline Dana Point! GM Meeting Update!

Mariners execs Lee Pelekoudas, Jim Na and Bart Waldman are neck deep in a three-hour meeting on arbitration. New GM Jack Zduriencik - and his right-hand men, Tony Blengino and Tom McNamara – are in a suite working the telephones.

Who are they calling?

Throw a dart – they could be calling managerial candidates or talking to the 2008 coaches. They might be talking to Colorado GM Dan O’Dowd, who insisted he will be ‘aggressive’ in trying to move players like Matt Holiday and Garrett Atkins for what he needs.

They could be talking to Scott Boras, who represents most of the prime real estates on the free agent market – Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixiera and Derek Lowe, for instance.

Except the Mariners aren’t likely to drop millions on a free agent this week.

Zduriencik might be talking to his old team, the Brewers, who figure to lose C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets to free agency, leaving gaping holes in their rotation.

Jarrod Washburn, anyone? How about a nice Carlos Silva?

It’s almost a certainty nothing will happen here over the next few days. Baltimore GM Lee MacPhail reminded everyone that one year ago at these meetings, the Mariners and Orioles “sewed the seeds” of a trade that later made Erik Bedard a Mariner and George Sherrill, Adam Jones and three top prospects Orioles.

Oh, and Bill Bavasi is here with the Cincinnati contingent.

As for rumors, there’s only one floating through the lobbies here that involves Seattle – and it doesn’t even involve a player.

The Red Sox lost their public relations man when John Blake left to take the job in Texas, and Boston is now looking for his successor. Among the PR directors they want to talk to his Seattle’s Tim Hevly.

And here’s a financial update: Parking at the St. Regis is $24 for a day or $5 an hour – with no in-and-out privledges. That means you can park here at 8 a.m., pay $20 to leave for lunch, return and by 5 p.m. owe another $20 to get out of the parking garage.

Hey, one Minnesota writer complained he’d spent his per diem on two cups of coffee this morning ….

The country is going through tough economic times, but Major League baseball doesn't seem overly concerned.

The resort where the GM meetings are underway has rooms to rent from $300 to $500 a night - unless you want an ocean view or a suite.

As of this moment, the media room is set up for 60 writers and only one of us is present.

Parking is $24, coffee just a little less.

Ran into Seattle Mariners attorney and negotiator Bart Waldman - but only because he was lost in the immense maze that is this resort.

Meetings start about 9 a.m.

The media may arrive any day now.

Me? Think I'll break the bank and have a second cup of coffee.

By the way, for anyone who missed it or needs a chuckle, John McGrath's Sunday column was a tongue-in-cheek look at bringing back Junior - and a few other old Mariners.

You can read it here. And unlike anything in Dana Point, it's free.