Seattle Mariners General Manager Jack Zduriencik has been busy this off-season.

Earlier this winter, “Z-Man” brought in third baseman Chone Figgins, former Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee, controversial outfielder Milton Bradley and lefty first baseman Casey Kotchman.

Zduriencik also wrapped up contract extensions for starting pitcher and last year’s AL Cy Young runner-up Felix Hernandez and outfielder Franklin Gutierrez.

Despite the almost constant movement of players in and out of the Mariners organization this winter, Zduriencik is showing no signs of stopping.

Last weekend the M’s announced the signing of high-energy outfielder Eric Byrnes. Byrnes has been plagued by injuries the last two seasons, playing just 136 games. However, it’s hard to argue the signing of the former Arizona Diamondback, considering the low price at which he came.

Because the Diamondbacks cut him about two weeks ago with money left on his contract, any team that signed Byrnes could pick him up for the league minimum, which was $400,000 per year and the M’s jumped at the chance.

Byrnes fits the prototypical “low-risk and high-reward” Zduriencik signing.

Byrnes plays hard and could not only provide excitement on the field, but could be a good voice to an older solid locker room. He’s a veteran who has had his share of ups and downs and seems to have his head in the right place.

“My play will dictate the amount of playing time I’m warranted,” Byrnes said. “One of the things Jack and I talked about … I’m not going to complain. I’ve had plenty of time on the bench, and I know how to deal with that role. That’s not a big deal to me. It’s about taking advantage of whatever opportunity I have.” Z-Man was not done there though, as the team announced the signing of right-handed first baseman Ryan Garko.

Garko can also be used at designated hitter, first base and possibly catcher. Although he hasn’t played catcher in the majors, Garko would not feel too out of place behind home plate. Garko was an All-American in 2003 while at Stanford University, and he won the Johnny Bench award for the nation’s best catcher in that year as well.

A right-handed power bat is something that the Mariners need, provided Garko returns to his form 2 to 3 years ago, that need will be fulfilled.

His hitting numbers have gotten worse during the last few years, but a return to the American League could be what he needs to get back to his form when he was with the Cleveland Indians, rather than the underwhelming numbers he put up as a San Francisco Giant last season.

Zduriencik, yet again, did a good bit of business in signing Garko, wrapping him with a one-year, $550K deal.

With the additions of first basemen Kotchman and Garko, it would seem that the slim possibility of Russell Branyan coming back in a Mariners’ uniform is gone. The lefty hit 31 homers last season for the M’s, but there are big questions about his back. No one is also willing to offer him the long-term deal he desires.

However, ESPN’s Jayson Stark is reporting that low-base salary offer is being made to Branyan by the Florida Marlins, who have no player of note at first base for next season.

With the acquisition of Garko, the M’s add overall depth that was sorely missing last season.

There’s competition for playing time at most every position, and that could be what the Mariners need to get over the hump and back into the playoffs.

The Mariners were a solid 85-77 last season, and the moves Z-Man has made this off-season are giving hope to a team whose fans are still trying to recover the from traumatizing Bill Bavasi era (Cough – Richie Sexson, Jeff Weaver, Carlos Silva, Jose Vidro, Erik Bedard and Eddie Guardado - Cough).