SEATTLE -- One of the hottest topics of conversation about the Mariners these days is whether the organization should sign 39-year-old free-agent outfielder Ken Griffey Jr.

Would that be a good idea?

Well, the four members of the Mariners Hall of Fame think so.

Alvin Davis, Jay Buhner, Edgar Martinez and Dave Niehaus all like the idea of having Griffey finish his Hall of Fame career where it started -- in a Mariners uniform.

"Ah, man, that would be great," Davis said from his Riverside, Calif., home. "I think he still has some gas left in the tank and now, with Raul [Ibanez] signing with the Phillies, the team really needs a left-handed bat in the heart of the [lineup]. If Junior is healthy, he still is an extremely gifted athlete."

Said Jay Buhner, who played alongside Griffey in the Mariners outfield from 1989 through 1999: "I am being selfish, obviously, but I would love to see him come back. His bat speed isn't what it used to be, nor is his foot speed, but I still think Junior could help the ballclub."

Among active players, Griffey leads with 611 home runs, including 30 two seasons ago, when he played in 144 games with the Reds -- the most games he had played since his first season with Cincinnati.

A knee injury last season limited Griffey to 18 home runs in 143 games. He underwent arthroscopic surgery at the end of the regular season and reportedly has completely healed.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik wants to make the team younger and more athletic, as evidenced by the three-team, 12-player trade he participated in during the Winter Meetings. So, signing the 39-year-old Griffey would not fit that philosophy.

But Zduriencik said he has had several telephone conversations with Griffey's agent, Brian Goldberg. As of Wednesday, the Mariners had not made an offer, but Zduriencik added that they "probably would talk again."

"We're still talking to some of the same teams, but I'd rather not get into specifics as who they are or to what degree the discussions are at this point," Goldberg said from his Cincinnati office.

Whether Griffey comes to Seattle or, as has been reported, chooses to stay near his Orlando, Fla., home and play for the defending American League champion Rays or another club remains to be seen.

But the thought remains intriguing to the Mariners Hall of Famers.

"It sounds wonderful," chipped in Hall of Fame announcer Dave Niehaus. "If it happens, I would be one of the first to applaud it. I think the aura of him being around here would be fantastic. He's always a story, so that would be a big plus. But if it doesn't happen, I would understand why."

Added Edgar Martinez via an e-mail: "I think it would be great for the team, and the city, to have Junior come back. He belongs in a Mariners uniform, and I hope that he will wear it again."

While the lack of a historical run-producer makes the thought of signing Griffey appealing, one has to wonder if he would get enough playing time to stay happy and productive.

The organization might decide to give its younger players first shot at the openings on the 25-man Opening Day roster, such as designated hitter, where left-handed-hitting Jeff Clement probably would get most of the duty.

And with speedy Franklin Gutierrez, acquired from the Indians last month in the three-team, 12-player trade, taking over in center field, and Ichiro Suzuki locked into right field, Griffey would have to settle for splitting his playing time between left field -- a position he has played three times in his career -- and DH.

"I think it probably comes down to how much playing time Junior wants, and how much playing time they think they can give him," Buhner said. "Both sides have to sit down and talk that over. I think that would be the only holdup, really."

Griffey is not the same player that orchestrated a trade to the Reds prior to the 2000 season. Father Time, and numerous injuries, has taken a toll on the franchise leader in home runs (398) and the No. 2 producer in RBIs (1,152).

However, the second time around probably would not be as productive.

"I have ambivalent feelings about him coming back, but only because I am afraid some fans would be disappointed at not seeing 'The Kid,'" Niehaus said. "He is not the gazelle who climbed walls to catch balls. I would just hate to see Junior come back and fall on his face and have so many people disappointed."

But Niehaus quickly recalled the last time Griffey played at Safeco Field -- in June 2007, when the Reds visited for a three-game Interleague series.

"He had a wonderful series," the longtime voice of the Mariners said. "He hit two runs in one game and that was like magic."

Presented with a framed picture of Safeco Field with the words, "The House That Griffey Built", Junior told the sold-out crowd, "Never did I imagine it would be like this coming back. I didn't know how much I missed being in Seattle."