SEATTLE (Ticker) -- John Olerud is returning home.

The former Washington State star today signed with his native Seattle Mariners, inking a deal that moves him home and 3,000 miles away from the New York Mets, who now have a hole at first base.

"The fact that we have our son now who is 15 months old, as a husband and a father, I want to be characterized as a guy who puts family first and that was a real big priority," Olerud said.

The Seattle Times is reporting that the deal is believed to be for three years and $20 million.

Olerud has used his sweet lefthanded swing to help the Mets into the playoffs and aid the Toronto Blue Jays to a pair of World Series championships. A career .301 hitter, he batted .297 with 19 home runs, 96 RBI and a team-record 125 walks last season, missing only one game as the Mets made the postseason for the first time since 1988.

The move had been rumored, considering the mild-mannered Olerud's ties to the area, and got stronger once Pat Gillick became Seattle's general manager. Gillick and Olerud had an excellent relationship when the two were with the Toronto organization, and a call to Olerud's parents by Gillick cost the Mariners a tampering fine.

"He's the same guy. He hasn't changed a bit," Gillick said of Olerud. "He's a low-key, quiet competitor and in his 10 or 11 years in the big leagues I can see that he's he's exactly the same type person that he when he grew up here. Being home-grown is good for this community."

Olerud's bat might quickly become the best in a traditionally strong lineup, since the departure of center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. appears imminent and that of shortstop Alex Rodriguez also could happen soon.

That would leave Olerud with some protection in designated hitter Edgar Martinez, who is a similar hitter from the right side. Both Martinez and Olerud have some homer power, but their respective fortes are batting average, extra-base hits and on-base percentage.

"If you look at both teams right now, the Mets are obviously in a pretty good situation with the team advancing to the playoffs last year," Olerud said. "This team here is more up in the air, but I think with Pat here they're really going to get in the right direction. I feel very confident of that."

Olerud and Martinez could be the offensive core of a new-look team that will be playing its first full season at Safeco Field. Safeco Field opened in the middle of last season and its dimensions are much more attractive to pitchers than the Kingdome.

The Mariners have an improving staff with rookies Freddy Garcia and John Halama plus the steady Jamie Moyer. They have listened to a handful of offers for Griffey,. all of which have included established pitchers or prospects.

"Things have been moving really slowly," Gillick said regarding the trade front. "I'm not sure why. Hopefully, this signing will unclog things and more deals can be reached. We don't need a first baseman now, so maybe some deals will be restructured. We are still looking for some starting pitching, additional bullpen help and more lefthanded hitting."

Olerud won the American League batting title with a .363 average in 1993, helping the Blue Jays to their second straight World Series title. He had career highs of 54 doubles, 24 homers, 107 RBI, 109 runs and 200 hits, making his only All-Star Game appearance.

With the Mets in 1998, he hit .354, the only other time in his 10 seasons he has topped the .300 mark. He reached base safely in 144 of his 152 starts.

"It was very, very difficult," Olerud said of leaving the Mets after three years. "I had a great experience there, (with) everybody in the organization, people in the front office. The clubhouse and the players were all great.

"We really enjoyed the city as well. The fans treated us fantastic and the tough series that we went through last year developed real camaraderie."

Olerud is a .267 hitter in nine World Series games and a has a .293 average in 23 contests in the League Championship Series. In 10 postseason games for the Mets in 1999, he hit .349 with three homers and 12 RBI as New York fell two wins shy of reaching the World Series.