BASEBALL Wilson to remain with the Mariners

Yankees catcher Chris Widger filed for free agency Friday.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Dan Wilson agreed Friday to a $7 million, two-year contract to stay with the Seattle Mariners rather than test the free-agent market.
Wilson, Seattle's top catcher, hit a career-high .295 with six homers and 44 RBIs last season.
Wilson, 33, hit a career-best .295 with six home runs and 44 RBIs in 115 games last season, when the Mariners posted their second-best victory total with 93 wins but missed the playoffs.
Wilson's main strengths are defense and ability to call a game.
"I know that Bryan Price and the pitching staff all breathed a big sigh of relief today because Bryan and the pitching staff think so much of Dan," general manager Pat Gillick said. "I think Danny has turned into one of the best signal callers in the American League."
The New York Yankees' Chris Widger, another catcher, was the only player to file for free agency Friday, raising the total to 153. Free agents can start talking money with all teams starting Tuesday.
Deadline Monday
Up to 16 more players can file by Monday's deadline, including several players whose 2003 options are pending.
Among those awaiting option decisions are New York Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte ($11.5 million), Boston right-hander Tim Wakefield ($3.8 million), Arizona right-hander Mike Fetters ($2.75 million) and Los Angeles catcher Chad Kreuter ($1.2 million)
San Francisco closer Robb Nen must decide whether to exercise his $8.6 million option.
Several players also have clauses in their contracts that give them the right to terminate their deals and become free agents. That group includes Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, Texas right-hander Chan Ho Park, Colorado left-hander Mike Hampton, Florida catcher Charles Johnson, Kansas City outfielder Michael Tucker and Los Angeles right-hander Paul Quantrill.
Monday also is the deadline for veteran players dealt during multi-year contracts to file trade demands. Dodgers outfielder Brian Jordan filed one last week.
If a player who files a demand isn't traded by March 15, he can terminate his contract and become a free agent.