The Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Branyan, who will make $1.4 million with a one-year contract, turned down the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also said no to the guarantee of bigger money and more playing time in Japan to sign with the Mariners.
The article doesn't contain any information about how much the Pirates offered, but it doesn't sound like Branyan picked the Mariners for monetary reasons, but rather for his connection with new GM Jack Zduriencik. Either way, I'm glad the Pirates were interested in Branyan--it's really not a big deal, at all, but as cheap free agents go, he's exactly the sort they should pursue.
By the way, Mariners blog Lookout Landing is thrilled to have him.