Mariners offseason moves

[Bond James Bond]

Some interesting-sounding stuff the past few days . . .

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseba...39_mari16.html
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Friday, December 16, 2005
M's have the cash to throw at Millwood
By JON PAUL MOROSI
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Even after Wednesday's signing of Carl Everett, Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi should have between $10 million and $12 million to spend on pitching this holiday season -- enough to present him with any number of possible additions.

None cheap, of course.

Industry officials said this week Seattle is still the favorite to land right-hander Kevin Millwood. At last week's winter meetings, two player agents said the Mariners offered Millwood a four-year deal worth $44 million. That would still fit into Seattle's budget for the coming year.

Yet, Millwood's agent, Scott Boras, has not publicly backed off his assertion that Millwood, who turns 31 on Christmas Eve, is "a five-year guy." Bill Bavasi, the Mariners general manager, said last week he would be reluctant to offer any pitcher a five-year deal.

Bavasi seems to have company. The Cleveland Indians, Millwood's most recent team, do not have the financial wherewithal to compete for him in the current market. The Washington Nationals, another interested club, would have to move significant contracts to clear room in their budget.

The Baltimore Orioles have money to spend, but are dealing with a more pressing internal matter -- Miguel Tejada's displeasure -- and are not interested in signing Millwood at the current market price.

The Mariners, then, may be able to wait their way to a major signing. Seattle may be able to sign Millwood and add a second pitcher, but only at a reduced price. One possibility is Sidney Ponson, the former Orioles right-hander who is serving a five-day sentence for driving while intoxicated.

Ponson pitched for Mariners manager Mike Hargrove in Baltimore, and the two have a good relationship. Hargrove called Ponson in October -- weeks after Ponson's arrest and subsequent termination by the Orioles -- to see how he was and say that his prayers were with him. "It was more of a friend thing, nothing in baseball terms," Hargrove said Thursday. "He sounded good."

The Mariners have had internal discussions about Ponson, according to one club source, but it is unclear whether they have formal interest in signing him.

"Sidney's going to be an asset to any club that picks him up," Hargrove said. "He has a long road ahead to re-establish himself, but Sidney has it in him. He's a good guy and a good competitor.

"The biggest thing with Sidney is that he's gotten older. He's a smart person. I like Sidney. He's got a lot to offer."

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http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseba...70_mari17.html

Saturday, December 17, 2005
M's close to deal with Jarrod Washburn
M's might also chase Arroyo
By JON PAUL MOROSI
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

The Mariners may be on the verge of altering their starting rotation with a pair of moves that could hasten, or at least help, the return of winning baseball to Seattle.

With between $10 million and $12 million left under their 2006 payroll, the Mariners have enough money left that they could enter the holidays with both Jarrod Washburn and Bronson Arroyo locked into their rotation for the coming year.

Two industry sources told the Post-Intelligencer on Friday that Seattle's interest in Washburn had intensified over the week, and CBS SportsLine.com reported late in the day that the Mariners were approaching a four-year deal with the left-hander, late of the Los Angeles Angels, that would pay him $36 million to $38 million.

The average annual value of the reported deal -- nearly $9 million -- fits within Washburn's expected market value, between Matt Morris, who signed with the Giants, and A.J. Burnett, who signed with the Blue Jays.

It would also enable Seattle to add a $3 million pitcher and remain within its budget. That happens to be the value Arroyo -- a right-hander who won 14 games with the Red Sox in 2005 -- is expected to earn through salary arbitration.

"If it's Arroyo," said one industry source with knowledge of the situation, "they'd both fit."

Sources indicated Friday the Mariners have maintained trade talks with the Red Sox on Seattle center fielder Jeremy Reed. A deal is not expected before the end of the weekend, however, and is unlikely to occur unless Red Sox center fielder Johnny Damon signs elsewhere, according to one Red Sox official.

Boston has at least one other outside option to fill center field should Damon depart, but one Red Sox official said "a solid majority" of the club's semi-democratic front office would favor a move for Reed if Damon does not return to Boston.

Another industry source who spoke with a Red Sox scout said Boston's interest in Reed is "pretty strong."

Red Sox outfielder Trot Nixon, a topic of conversation between the clubs at the winter meetings, would not be part of any trade involving Reed, the Red Sox source said. Instead, the Mariners would likely receive one of two right-handed pitchers, Arroyo or Matt Clement.

If Seattle signs Washburn, Clement, who will make $9.5 million next year, would be too expensive.

Boston may want to keep Arroyo because he is cheaper -- his 2006 salary is not likely to exceed $3 million -- and can work out of the bullpen. That is of particular relevance since the club's stockpile of starting pitchers -- which now includes Cy Young candidate Josh Beckett -- could push Arroyo into long relief.

Then again, $3 million would be a hefty salary to pay a long relief pitcher. So, if the Red Sox believe Arroyo is a long shot to make the rotation, they may be inclined to move him now.

The reported acceleration in talks with Washburn came as somewhat of a surprise, since the Mariners were believed to be content to wait until Damon signed before making a decision, since Clement's contract would be more appealing than either free agent Kevin Millwood's or Washburn's.

On Friday, multiple sources with knowledge of the talks insisted they did not expect a Boston-Seattle trade before Damon's decision. As one source put it: "I don't think Boston would trade a starting pitcher to get a backup outfielder."

If Reed is dealt, the Mariners would likely look to the outside for his replacement, given Ichiro Suzuki's preference to remain in right field. Manager Mike Hargrove said he has not spoken with Ichiro about a potential move to center field, and does not appear likely to do so.

"If I even entertained that thought, I would talk to Ichiro before I talked to anybody else about it," Hargrove said Friday.

The Mariners have not maintained regular contact with representatives for free agent Preston Wilson, one option in center field, but that dialogue could resume if Reed is traded.

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And of course they also just signed Carl Everett for a 1-year deal and signed that Japanese catcher.

After two sucky seasons in a row it's about time they made some big moves!

[Bond James Bond]

Update on Washburn - it looks like they got him!

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...ariners16.html

Friday, December 16, 2005 - Page updated at 08:35 PM
Report: Mariners land Washburn
By Bob Finnigan
Seattle Times staff reporter

Landing one of their top free-agent pitching targets of the offseason, the Mariners apparently have reached agreement with left-hander Jarrod Washburn on a four-year contract.

The deal was not finalized Friday night. Among other details to be settled, the pitcher must pass a team physical.

Financial aspects are uncertain. But whatever the exact numbers turn out to be, it figures to be the biggest contract Seattle has given to a pitcher. While one industry source said between $30 million and $35 million earlier in the day, CBS SportsLine.com later ran a story saying Washburn will get $36 million to $38 million, which might include a signing bonus.

The Mariners do not comment on unannounced personnel matters, but Seattle's scouting reports on Washburn are very strong, citing his dedication and makeup.

In addition, Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi is very familiar with Washburn from Bavasi's tenure as general manager of the Angels from 1994 to 1999.

Washburn was a second-round draft pick by the Angels in 1995, and worked his way up the minor-league system, sticking in the big leagues in 2001. A year later, he went 18-6, his best mark in the majors.

Last season, while dealing with forearm problems, Washburn was 8-8 in 29 starts, but had an earned-run average of 3.20, fourth-best in the American League. He had a road ERA of 2.65, second only to Toronto's Roy Halladay at 2.09, and a league-leading ERA for night games of 2.53.

Washburn can be expected to fill the No. 3 spot in the Seattle rotation, with Jamie Moyer and Felix Hernandez going 1-2, and Joel Pineiro and Gil Meche rounding out the starting group.

A published report that Meche would be not be tendered a contract by the Tuesday deadline is believed to be incorrect. In fact, barring a change of mind, the Mariners are expected to tender contracts to Meche, Julio Mateo and Willie Bloomquist. At this point, the only arbitration-eligible player not expected to be sent a contract by the deadline is pitcher Ryan Franklin.

One of the Mariners' rationale is that the $3 million to $4 million that Franklin might have sought in arbitration will be used to help pay for Washburn's contract.

In addition, the signing of Washburn might not kill Seattle's trade talks with Boston, which involves outfielder Jeremy Reed. However, the signing of a high-priced pitcher means the Mariners are on pace to reach their player payroll budget of $95 million and are limited in the salaries they might add.

Thus, if discussions continue with the Red Sox, Seattle would no longer be able to trade for pitcher Matt Clement, who will make more than $16 million over the next two years — unless the Red Sox are willing to take Meche (expected to make between $3 million and $4 million in 2006) to make the deal closer to equal in salaries.

If Meche is not included, the Mariners are expected to turn their preference for Bronson Arroyo into a demand. Arroyo, who made $1.85 million last season, should make between $3 million and $4 million next year.

Seattle could enlarge the offer to include a relief pitcher. If Arroyo, or any other starting pitcher, is acquired, Meche might be non-tendered.

With agent Scott Boras reportedly seeking a five-year contract, the Mariners believed they couldn't land Millwood, so they focused on Washburn.

Of Washburn, an American League scout said: "If the Mariners get the guy, they'll like him. He has great character, a real drive to succeed. His record last year was more from a lack of run support than lack of good pitching on his part. He can get in trouble if he nibbles, but he did that less last year than he did the previous couple of years. He's a flyball pitcher and he'll benefit from pitching in Safeco."

Jarrod Washburn by the numbers
2 — Round he was drafted by Angels in 1995.
3.20 — ERA in 2005, ranking fourth in league.
18 — Career high in wins (with six losses), in 2002.
34 — Homers allowed in 2003, tied for most in AL.
139 — Career high in strikeouts, in 2002.

[SJM]

Finally we are making some decent pitching changes!!! Its been always offense and not enough focus on a core pitching staff.

[mhays]

We needed offense too, and it looks like we got it.

An infield of Beltre, Betancourt, Lopez, and Sexson is good defensively and, assuming the middle two continue to develop, potentially good offensively too. Johjima sounds like a good catcher offensively and defensively. Ibanez and Ichiro are good, with either Reed or a replacement. And Everett sounds just fine as DH.

A great aspect of sucking for two years has been the development of young players. Morse was impressive and could start. Bloomquist too, though he's also valuable as a situation player.

[mongozx]

Seattle has a baseball team?

[Bond James Bond]

Originally Posted by mongozx

Seattle has a baseball team?

[LesterKao]

i hope that if we're involved with a deal with boston we should get clement and not arroyo....otherwise i like jeremy reed and he has alotta of potential in cf for the mariners

[Bond James Bond]

They picked up another middling player today . . .

Thursday, December 22, 2005
Mariners
M's sign Lawton on day he admits to using steroids
Seattle Times staff

The Mariners have agreed to terms with left-handed hitting outfielder Matt Lawton on a one-year contract.

Lawton, 34, who played right field for the Yankees last season, recently admitted to taking steroids. He told Sports Weekly's Bob Nightengale that he took boldenone, a veterinary steroid, last season, just before he was suspended for 10 days for violating baseball's steroids policy.

"I wasn't playing well enough to be on a Little League roster, let alone be on the roster of the New York Yankees," Lawton told Sports Weekly in its current issue. "I just wasn't physically able to do the job. I had never been in the playoff hunt before. So I did something that will always haunt me."

Bill Bavasi announced the hiring through a statement today.

"Matt is a solid left-handed hitter and base stealer who will provide us with depth and flexibility," Bavasi said. "He can help us in a variety of roles, including the ability to play all three outfield positions."

Lawton batted a combined .254 (127x500) with 13 home runs, 53 RBI and 18 steals over 141 games in 2005 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs and Yankees. He made 110 starts in right field and 20 in left last season.

Lawton began the year with Pittsburgh, batting .273 with 10 homers and 44 RBI in 101 games. His 16 steals with the Pirates were second on the team in 2005. Lawton was traded to the Cubs on July 31 for outfielder Jody Gerut. The Yankees acquired him on Aug. 27 in exchange for right-handed pitcher Justin Berg.

A two-time American League All-Star (2000, 2004), Lawton has a career Major League batting average of .267 with 138 home runs, 630 RBI and 165 steals over 1,323 games for the Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, Pirates, Cubs and Yankees. He was originally drafted by Minnesota in the 13th round of the 1992 June draft. Lawton has played 793 games in right field, 385 in left and 109 in center.

Lawton batted .277 over 150 games in 2004 for the Cleveland Indians. He was selected to the American League All-Star team for the second time in his career (also 2000). In 2004, Lawton tied for eighth in the AL with a career-high 109 runs and tied for sixth in the league with 23 steals.