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Branyan came to Milwaukee in 2004 when Z was Asst. GM.  They have a history.  Z knows where they left off.  It wasn't scorched earth.  It was a disagreement about the scope of the injury risk and the extent to which the Ms would assume injury risk.  Please read Z's comments.  They now have more data about the injury risk and now they are comfortable with it.  They weren't before.  He knows Branyan wants to be in Seattle.
Z knows a lot more about where they are and will be with Branyan than we do.
So, yes, this is a move about 2010 and 2011.  They want to be respectable this year, and they want to be respectable in 2011.  Is it legally binding that Branyan will be an M in 2011? No, but I think Z knows the score, and thinks it's in his favor.
They also have more data about Carerra (downward trend), Carp (no positive trend) and Saunders (positive trend).  So they pick Saunders to move forward with and cash in Carerra for a 1b and MOTO hitter, both of which they need whether they're in last place or first place.