The Associated Press

SEATTLE - Free agent outfielder Raul Ibanez signed a three-year contract with the Seattle Mariners, general manager Bill Bavasi announced Wednesday.

Ibanez spent the past two seasons in Kansas City, where he blossomed, hitting .294 both years. He drove in 103 runs in 2002 and 90 last season. He was last with Seattle in 1999 and 2000 but saw little playing time.

"Signing Raul was definitely a priority for us," Bavasi said in a statement. "He is a great fit for us, on and off the field. His left-handed bat will complement our lineup nicely, and we already know what he brings to the clubhouse."

Mariners manager Bob Melvin said he was happy to add Ibanez to the roster.

"Raul is a perfect fit for our ballclub," Melvin said. "He's got a great swing for our stadium, and I'm glad we were able to bring him back."

KEN BRETT DIES: Ken Brett, brother of Hall of Famer George Brett and the youngest World Series pitcher in history, is dead after a long battle with brain cancer. He was 55.

Brett, who died Tuesday night, was part-owner of the Spokane Indians minor-league baseball team and Spokane Chiefs hockey team. The teams confirmed his death Wednesday.

Brett pitched 14 years in the major leagues, going 83-85 with a 3.93 ERA. He also hit .262 with 10 homers.

Brett was 19 years, 1 month when he pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the Boston Red Sox in the 1967 World Series against St. Louis.

REDS: Assistant trainer Lonnie Soloff resigned to take the head trainer position with the Cleveland Indians.

Soloff has been with the Reds since 1998. He spent five years as the club's head physical therapist.

Soloff replaces longtime Indians trainer Paul Spicuzza, who moved into a consulting role.

ASTROS: Houston reached a two-year deal with free agent catcher Brad Ausmus.

Ausmus, a two-time Gold Glove winner, hit .229 with four home runs and 47 RBI for the Astros last season. He finished second among major-league catchers with a 99.7 fielding percentage.

Ausmus, 34, has caught at least 100 games in each of his 10 full seasons in the major leagues.

RED SOX: Former Phillies manager Terry Francona was back in Boston for another round of interviews Wednesday, a day after he met with Red Sox owner John Henry about the vacant managerial job.

"I was impressed with his knowledge of the game and his forthrightness," Henry said. "He is a serious candidate, but no decisions have been made."

Los Angeles Dodgers coach Glenn Hoffman and Anaheim Angels bench coach Joe Maddon also have been interviewed for the chance to succeed Grady Little.

SHORT HOPS: Former Mets and Giants outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo will return to Japan and play for the Pacific League's Nippon Ham Fighters next season. Shinjo spent most of the 2003 season with the Mets' Triple-A Norfolk club.

• Milton Bradley agreed to terms on a contract for 2004 with the Indians, who avoided going to salary arbitration with the outfielder. Bradley, 25, batted .321 with 10 homers and 56 RBI last season, but he missed the final six weeks with a lower back injury.