By now you've heard that the Mariners are bringing Ken Griffey Jr. back in the fold for the 2010 season. You've also probably seen that Jason Varitek exercised his 2010 option to return to the Red Sox, even after Boston declined their team option.

What we have here, is two opposite views of sentiment. Peter Gammons mentioned on a radio interview with Kevin Calabro in Seattle that there is a room in baseball for sentiment, but the Red Sox and I disagree.

First off, I'll admit that Griffey put the Mariners in a tough spot, and they didn't have much of a choice. Some called it a hostage situation, and as ridiculous as it may sound, it's actually right on the money. If Griffey wanted to come back, and was willing to do so in a diminished role, the club had to bring him back or risk being brutally attacked by idiotic fans. As already discussed by Dave Cameron, the real crime is that he takes up a roster spot, not the money. If there was any real hope of bringing in Hideki Matsui to be a full time DH, it is fading fast. Two "outfielders" on the roster that can't actually play the outfield is hard to overcome. In all honesty, Griffey was brought back to give Ichiro high-fives and slap other players on the ass when they make a good play, along with making an at-bat or two a week. Hard to call that anything but sentiment, isn't it?

On the Red Sox side, they clearly didn't want Varitek back. They didn't seem to be too interested in having him on the roster last season, but without many other options, they obliged and brought him back for another year or two. After trading for Victor Martinez, they have no use for Varitek, even though he "calls a great game". 'Tek will play once or twice a week, with Martinez moving over the first base and Kevin Youkilis playing third to give Mike Lowell time off. While having a second catcher isn't an issue, having one who is somewhat worthless making $3MM is more than you'd like to be paying. He may have been worth that much as of late, but with minimal playing time and another year of regression it's going to be close.

The Red Sox and Mariners are two smart organizations who view the idea of sentiment in baseball completely differently, but both have to deal with a player returning who may not exactly be worth having around. In the Mariners case, at least the players will be happier and fans will appreciate it, but it's not a win for the club regardless. As for the Red Sox, at least you don't have to find a new captain for another year?

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