It’s not uncommon to find Seattle Mariner fans in clubhouse chemistry debates given all the negative stories that were produced last season and all the positive ones from this year.  But clubhouse chemistry cannot be measured on the field, ending most of these debates in a stalemate.

While we may never figure out how much effect a good clubhouse atmosphere has on player performance, one benefit of good team chemistry, while still intangible, is a little less transparent.

GM Jack Zduriencik has said time and again that he is trying to establish Seattle as a place that players want to be, and based on what transpired after the last ballgame of the year I’d say he’s done a helluva job.  Felix Hernandez, whose agent is about to enter some big time extension negotiations, said he wants to play his entire career in Seattle.  Adrian Beltre, who couldn’t wait to get out of Safeco Field earlier in his Mariner career (as rumor has it), said he’d love to return.  Sure, these statements were undoubtedly fueled by the overflow of emotions on the field, but there has to be some truth in there.  In the past Erik Bedard has also said that he’d love to return, citing the new atmosphere, as has Russell Branyan.

The Seattle Mariners have never had great luck attracting big name free agents to the remote northwest, so it’s a big boost to the team when they can convince players to stick around.  We’ll find out later on this offseason how many of those statements were real, but of course it takes two to tango (the organization has to want players back as well).

Speaking of free agents, they choose the teams they wish to negotiate with for various reasons.  Some are looking for the biggest paycheck, some want to land on a perennial playoff contender like the New York Yankees or Los Angeles Angels, some may want to play for an iconic manager like Lou Pinella or Joe Torre, some want to play in a place with loyal fans like St. Louis, some want to play in a place with a reputation for having a good clubhouse atmosphere, and so on.  While some players will be one dimensional, many will try to land with the team that can give them some combination.

Clubhouse chemistry is going to be low on that list, but it’s still there, and when free agents see highlights of Seattle’s hugathon and hear from their friends on the team about how much fun 2009 was, it may help Seattle bring in a few more guys that they wouldn’t have gotten before.  We won’t know until later this offseason, but it will be interesting to see if the behind the scenes turnaround will have an effect in this regard.