It’s official: Figgins is a Mariner

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Seattle Mariners General Manager Jack Zduriencik called it the best-kept secret of the baseball winter meetings. But it’s a secret no longer: Chone Figgins is leaving Anaheim for the Great Northwest.

The Mariners officially announced today that they have signed the former Angel to a four-year $36-million free-agent contract that includes a fifth-year option.

‘We’ve very excited about Chone,’ Zduriencik said. ‘He’s a good player. It brings us an athlete, someone with versatility, character and makeup that fits nicely with our club.’

Figgins, 31, hit .291 with 280 steals in eight seasons with the Angels. Last season he led the American League in walks with 101 and was second in runs with 114, finishing 10th in the voting for the league MVP award. But he struggled in the postseason, getting just three hits in 43 playoff at-bats.

His signing is a double-whammy for the defending AL West champion Angels, who not only lost Figgins but now must face him in the uniform of a division rival. Zduriencik said that played little importance in the signing, however.

‘What we’ve tried to do is concentrate on our club,’ he said. ‘If we set our sights on another club they can do a move that rivals or trumps our move. Your focus is on putting the best club on the field.’

For more on the Figgins signing, go to latimes.com/sports

-- Kevin Baxter in Indianapolis