Seattle Mariners Trade Rumors

Anyone For Jermaine Dye?
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March 13
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 
"Jermaine Dye hit 27 HR last season. That's tied for 37th most home runs among players in either league last year, one less than Joe Mauer and one more than Justin Upton. And he has no job. Joe Pawlikowski did a good job breaking down why Dye doesn't have a job on FanGraphs . To recap for the lazy, he had a terrible second half and his defense is utter excrement. Basically, Dye's a DH or nothing. Problem is, AL teams have generally sorted out their DH slots. It seems like everyone has some version of the big dude with bad knees and a boppin' bat. Dye's on his last legs, so he's probably best used on a one-year contract for a team that needs just a little more offense to contend. Sure, he'd ..."
Lee may finally have a home, but he'll keep options open
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March 5
SI.com
 
"Cliff Lee might finally have found the right team for him. The Mariners and Lee are taking things slowly, but word is that if everything goes well and he likes his first foray in the Northwest, the Mariners will try hard to lock him up with a new contract. That's something neither of his past two teams (the Indians and Phillies) showed much interest in doing. Which seems either crazy or bad luck, or maybe a bit of both. By all rights, Lee should have a big-league-sized chip on his talented left shoulder following two rejections he neither earned nor deserved. Lee received no contract offer at all from the Indians following his dominating 22-3 Cy Young season in 2008. Then one year later, ..."
Sources: Branyan talking closely with Indians
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February 16
Foxsports.com
 
"Free agent Russell Branyan, who's talking with three clubs, is furthest along with the Indians, according to major-league sources. The Rays maintain mild interest in Branyan, while the Red Sox also are in the mix, sources say. But the Indians could offer Branyan more playing time than the Red Sox and probably the Rays. Branyan, 33, could play first base, third and both corner outfield positions for the Indians, though he has appeared only 13 times in the outfield since 2006. The Indians' designated hitter, Travis Hafner, also bats left-handed."
Free agent Washburn awaits 'right offer'
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February 10
MLB.com
 
"Free-agent left-hander Jarrod Washburn said Wednesday that he is waiting for the "right offer," is in no hurry to sign a new contract and retiring is an option. "I've never liked Spring Training anyway," he laughed. The 35-year-old free agent said he has rejected "some offers," currently is working out at his offseason home in Wisconsin, and the knee that caused him so many problems during the second half of last season that he finally had to have it surgically repaired, "feels fine." As the clock ticks toward the start of Spring Training, Washburn is on the same pre-camp routine as always, running and playing catch almost every day. "I'm just sitting back to see what comes my way," ..."
Report: Feeling unwanted, Washburn may retire
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February 6
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 
"Just a few weeks ago, former Mariners left-handed Jarrod Washburn was rejecting an offer from the Minnesota Twins in the ballpark of $5 million for one year. He reportedly was interested in playing for the Twins or the Mariners. Now, with Erik Bedard apparently returning to the Mariners and the Twins using their remaining budget to sign second baseman Orlando Hudson, Washburn might have one option left – retirement."
Retirement in the cards for Washburn?
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February 5
Foxsports.com
 
"At the beginning of this week, Jarrod Washburn had narrowed his possible 2010 destinations to a very small list. In fact, it might have included only two teams — the Mariners and Twins. On Thursday, both clubs moved toward commitments with other players. Seattle is close to a one-year deal with starter Erik Bedard. Likewise, Minnesota is nearing an agreement with second baseman Orlando Hudson. So now what for Washburn? It remains possible that Seattle or Minnesota could boost its payroll by enough money to give Washburn an enticing one-year offer. If that doesn't happen, and if Washburn doesn't want to play elsewhere, he has a third option. Retirement. It sounds extreme, yes. But one major ..."
Bedard back? Could happen
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February 5
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"Erik Bedard, whose two-year run in Seattle was marked by season-ending surgeries – and some questions about his toughness – appears close to an agreement to pitch for the Mariners again in 2010. He couldn't be happier about the possibility. "I'd love to be back in Seattle," the left-hander said Thursday. Both MLB.com and Foxsports.com have reported the two sides are close to a one-year deal, and although the Mariners couldn't comment – general manager Jack Zduriencik and his entire front-office staff are in the Dominican Republic – it's clear Bedard has talked to the team. Rehabilitating a surgically repaired shoulder this winter at home in Ontario, Canada – where the temperature Thursday ..."
Bedard on Mariners: 'I'd love to be back!'
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February 4
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"Watching from the frozen tundra of Ontario, Canada - where it was 16 degrees below zero this morning - Erik Bedard has been throwing a baseball for three weeks - and monitoring the Seattle Mariners all winter. "They' ve done a phenomenal job this off-season," Bedard said. "Getting Cliff Lee? Man, with Felix (Hernandez) and Lee at the top of the rotation, how are you ever going to lose?" And would Bedard like to be right behind them in the Seattle rotation? "I'd love it - put me down as No. 3B, because Ryan (Rowland-Smith) could be No. 3, he's ready," Bedard said. "I'd love to be back in Seattle." The team has talked to Bedard about a return, but there's no offer in hand just yet. And other ..."
Bedard on the path of returning to Seattle
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February 4
MLB.com
 
"Now that the Mariners have avoided salary arbitration with first baseman Casey Kotchman, signing him to a one year, $3.5 million contract on Wednesday, the next order of business might be -- surprise, surprise -- re-signing left-hander Erik Bedard. Yep, there are rumblings going around that Bedard could soon re-up with the Mariners, who are still paying his medical bills. Bedard is expected to miss the first three or four months of the regular season but conceievably could come back in early June or July and provide significant pitching help. When healthy, he has been good. But he's been hurt more than healthy since being acquired from the Orioles in a trade that still makes me shake my ..."
Latest on Bedard, Washburn destinations
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February 4
Foxsports.com
 
"For several months last year, the pitching of Erik Bedard and Jarrod Washburn helped the Mariners remain in contention. Now, their free-agent marketplaces are intertwined. Two people in the industry said Thursday morning that they expect Bedard to return to the Mariners. For Bedard, who is coming off shoulder surgery, a familiarity with Seattle's medical staff could be an important consideration; the left-hander spent the past two injury-plagued seasons with the Mariners. One source said Thursday that Bedard can probably start pitching again in June, so he won't necessarily address the Mariners' need for starting pitching at the beginning of the season. But Mariners general manager Jack ..."
Mariners on fringe of Hudson pursuit
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February 2
Foxsports.com
 
"The Mariners signed Ryan Garko on Monday, raising to five the number of position players added to their major-league roster from outside the organization this winter. Yet, team officials haven't entirely dismissed the possibility of bringing in a sixth. Seattle, a team not often linked to Orlando Hudson, remains a long-shot candidate to sign the free-agent second baseman, multiple major-league sources said Monday. The Nationals, Indians and Twins have also shown interest in Hudson recently, sources said. Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik has gained a reputation for making bold moves, but the addition of Hudson would probably require some Olympic-caliber roster gymnastics. For one ..."
Hudson talks remain fluid
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January 27
Foxsports.com
 
"Free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson looks like he will have a choice. Take a strong financial offer from the Nationals. Take perhaps a lesser contract from the Rays. Or take a deal from another club that might put him near the Nats financially and the Rays competitively — if such an opportunity exists. The Nationals and Rays both are pursuing Hudson, but his negotiations remain fluid, major-league sources say. At least one, unidentified team might still be in the mix. That team could be the Twins, who are known to have interest in Hudson, major-league sources say. So far this offseason, the Twins have been linked more with third basemen than second basemen. Nick Punto and Brendan ..."
Cliff Lee wants long term relationship
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January 24
Wilmington News Journal
 
"Surely, y'all saw this, but just in case … The Mariners finally got around to holding an introductory press conference yesterday for Cliff Lee, and at one point, he was asked about his next contract. "I want a 10-year deal," Lee said, "for about $200 billion." Cue the laugh track. But, seriously, Lee (AP photo) can be a free agent next winter, and although he'd begun negotiations with the Phillies before the trade, it's widely believed he's seeking a longer-term deal than the three-year extensions given to Roy Halladay and Joe Blanton. Why wouldn't he? In the past three offseasons, Johan Santana got six years from the Mets, CC Sabathia got seven from the Yankees and John Lackey got five ..."
With Felix in fold, M's take look at Sheets
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January 21
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"It appears the much-talked- about contract extension for Seattle Mariners star pitcher Felix Hernandez will be announced today. Hernandez flew from Venezuela to Seattle on Wednesday to take a physical and also to be present for the announcement of what is reported to be a five-year, $78 million extension. The yearly breakdowns of that $78 million also leaked out Tuesday evening. Hernandez will get a signing bonus of $3.5 million and a $6.5 million salary this season. It will be followed by $10 million in 2011, $18.5 million in 2012, $19.5 million in 2013 and $20 million in 2014. The deal reportedly has a limited no-trade clause and performance incentives, including progressive bonuses for ..."
Hernandez, Mariners agree to 5-year deal
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January 19
SI.com
 
"Mariners star pitcher Felix Hernandez has agreed to a five-year, $78 million contract extension with the Mariners, sources say. The agreement covers two arbitration years and three years of free agency. He had been due to be a free agent after the 2011 season. Optimism for a deal has heated up in recent days; on Monday, SI.com reported the pitcher and team were close on terms."
Seattle Mariners Near Deal With Starting Pitcher Jarrod Washburn?
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January 18
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 
"According to ESPN, the Seattle Mariners and former starting pitcher Jarrod Washburn are in active negotiations to bring the lefty back to the Emerald City. The Boston Globe also reports the Mariners have re-engaged in negotiations with Washburn, which is why the two sides could be "near a deal". Washburn already turned down a one year, $5 million contract offer from the Minnesota Twins, who have now tried three times, to acquire the veteran, and have for all intents and purposes, struck out. Turning down a team that Washburn himself expressed some interest in either means he is holding out for a better deal, or holding out for a deal with the Mariners. He is coming off a rough injury ..."
A Mariners 25-man roster - and its cost
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January 15
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 
"A full month before camp opens is as good a time as any to take a look at a possible opening day 25-man roster for the Seattle Mariners - and estimate what the team will spend to put it on the field. There are fewer question marks than you might think. Go with the known quantities, toss in a bit of speculation and the roster comes together. Payroll is a bit tougher to figure precisely. For one thing, five key players - Felix Hernandez, Casey Kotchman, David Aardsma, Mark Lowe and Brandon League - are arbitration eligible. And then, there's the $5.5 millionthe Mariners will send to Chicago for Carlos Silva and another $1 million to Kansas City for Yuniesky Betancourt. That's $6.5 million ..."
Mariners sign Nelson to Minors deal
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January 14
MLB.com
 
"A potential backup first baseman and outfielder was added to the Mariners' Spring Training invitation list on Wednesday, when Brad Nelson signed a Minor League contract. The 27-year-old spent most of last season with Triple-A Tacoma, where he batted .247 with nine doubles, 15 home runs and 45 RBIs in 78 games. Nelson started the 2009 season with the Brewers and had just 21 at-bats before being sent to the Minors. Nelson refused the assignment and signed with Seattle as a free agent on May 21. A fourth-round selection by the Brewers in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft, Nelson played 28 games in the big leagues, going 2-for-28, in parts of the 2008 and '09 seasons."
Branyan ready to move on from Mariners
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January 13
MLB.com
 
"The first thing Russell Branyan did after hearing that the Mariners had acquired first baseman Casey Kotchman was call general manager Jack Zduriencik. And thank him for last season. "I wanted to express my appreciation to Jack for giving me a chance to play regularly," Branyan said. "I wish I could have come back to Seattle, but that apparently won't happen. We're looking elsewhere." The 34-year-old slugger said he has been working out, feels great and there are a "couple of teams" interested in him. He wouldn't name them, but said he's confident that a Major League contract offer is forthcoming. "I would be crazy not to think any other way," Branyan said. "I hit 31 home runs and played ..."
Change at first: Kotchman in, Branyan out
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January 7
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"Casey Kotchman, the 26-year-old first baseman joining his fourth team, has been acquired from Boston in exchange for utility player Bill Hall, a minor league player and cash in a deal likely to be announced later today. Can you say 'Farewell, Russell Branyan'? Almost certainly, Jack Zduriencik's trade means free agent Branyan - his power and troublesome back - is out. In its place, a left-handed hitter who's never hit more than 14 home runs or driven in more than 74 in a season. What the Mariners get in Kotchman is a former Angels prospect who's been bounced around, in part because he's never been the prototypical first baseman. His critics point to his lack of power - seven home runs in ..."
Mariners' Gutierrez locked up?
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January 6
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"Apparently, Zduriencik isn't just looking at bringing in new players. He's also working to keep around one of his best ones. On Tuesday, there were reports that the Mariners and center fielder Franklin Gutierrez are close to finalizing a four-year, $20.5 million contract extension. The first one surfaced on Twitter from a Venezuelan baseball reporter, and later mlb.com talked to Gutierrez's agent, Wil Polidor, who told the site: "We are really close. We want to get it done this week," Polidor said. "Maybe today or tomorrow or in a few hours. We are just waiting on Seattle. It's 90 percent done." The Mariners acquired Gutierrez from the Cleveland Indians as part of a three-team, ..."
M's moving toward four-year deal with Gutierrez
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January 6
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 
"The Seattle Mariners are close to wrapping up center fielder Franklin Gutierrez to a four-year contract for $20.5 million, according to MLB.com. Gutierrez became a key component in the Mariners' turnaround last year after being acquired by trade in general manager Jack Zduriencik's first major move. A four-year deal would buy out his final three years of salary arbitration as well as his first potential year of free agency in 2013. The deal reportedly also contains a fifth year at the team's option."
Casey Kotchman headed to Seattle for Hall
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January 6
Seattle Times
 
"Just a further update on what's going on with the Casey Kotchman deal. He's got a 7 a.m. flight out of Tampa, Fla. tomorrow and will be in Seattle by the afternoon for his physical ahead of this trade. I spoke to a source a short while ago, who told me Kotchman has a 5 a.m. wakeup planned in Florida tomorrow and is apparently quite excited about coming here. He's hitting .303 with a .354 on-base percentage at Safeco Field in 76 career at-bats, for what that's worth. Don't forget, he'll have at least one stopover involved. Usually, it's either Tampa-Atlanta-Seattle on Delta, or Tampa-Houston-Seattle on Continental, so that's a fair bit of distance to cover."
Beltre agrees to deal with Boston Red Sox
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January 5
Seattle Times
 
"The news that Adrian Beltre was about to officially end his five-year tenure with the Mariners hardly came as a surprise. Beltre had given plenty of indication that he was likely to move on, culminating with his early December decision to decline an arbitration offer by Seattle. And while some Mariners fans held out hope he might re-sign with the team, the news Monday that he was close to agreement on a one-year, $9 million deal with the Boston Red Sox seems to indicate a change of scenery was what he had in mind from the outset. The deal would reportedly include a $5 million player option for 2011, and is for far less money in 2010 than Beltre would likely have earned from the Mariners ..."
Four teams left in Bay bidding?
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December 23
Foxsports.com
 
"With three days left before Christmas -- and the unofficial intermission of the Hot Stove season -- Jason Bay still doesn't know where he will play in 2010. But an official of one interested club believes that four teams remain involved in the bidding: the Mets, Mariners, Giants and Angels. And while the Yankees are signaling that they're not in on Bay -- or Matt Holliday, or Johnny Damon -- they have been known to shift course rapidly at this time of year."
Final player in Mariners-Jays deal?
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December 22
Foxsports.com
 
"The second player going to Seattle in the Mariners-Blue Jays trade will be a minor leaguer, one source said this morning. That would rule out one of the promising left-handed starters who debuted with the Blue Jays in 2009: Marc Rzepczynski, Brett Cecil or Brad Mills. Catcher Brian Jeroloman was among the names discussed, the source said, but it's not clear if he was ultimately included in the trade. FOXSports.com senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal reported late Monday that the Mariners had agreed to send right-hander Brandon Morrow to the Blue Jays for reliever Brandon League and a prospect. Players must pass physicals in order for the deal to be completed."
Mariners agree to trade Brandon Morrow to Toronto
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December 22
Seattle Times
 
"Mariners pitcher Brandon Morrow is off to Florida for a physical on Tuesday ahead of a deal that will send him to the Toronto Blue Jays. The Mariners have agreed to send Morrow to Toronto in exchange for sinkerballing reliever Brandon League and a prospect whose identity was not yet known. League will fly to Seattle on Tuesday for his physical. Morrow said Monday night that he'd yet to be contacted by the Mariners to be told he's been traded, but a source later confirmed he'd be heading from Arizona on a midmorning flight to Toronto's spring-training facility near Tampa for a physical. "I've been getting a bunch of texts and calls from people telling me about the Internet stuff," Morrow ..."
Mariners reportedly ship Morrow to Blue Jays
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December 22
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"The Seattle Mariners have reportedly agreed to trade right-handed pitcher Brandon Morrow to Toronto for reliever Brandon League and a prospect. FOXSports.com cited a major-league source on Monday night as saying the deal is pending physicals, though neither team confirmed the trade is in the works. Morrow, 25, was one of Seattle's prized prospects after being taken with the fifth overall pick in the 2006 draft. The flame-thrower first worked out of the bullpen to solid results in 2007 before being switched between a starter and reliever the past two years."
Mariners, Jays to swap Morrow, League
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December 22
MLB.com
 
"The Mariners are staying busy. On Monday, the club reached a tentative agreement on a trade that would send right-hander Brandon Morrow to the Blue Jays for right-handed reliever Brandon League and a prospect, Fox Sports reported. A Mariners spokesman wouldn't comment on the report. Morrow, 25, went 2-4 with a 4.39 ERA in 69 2/3 innings for the Mariners last season. He is 8-12 with a 3.96 ERA in 197 2/3 innings for his career. League, 26, is 7-10 with a 4.09 ERA in 202 1/3 innings for the Blue Jays starting in 2004. He went 3-6 with a 4.58 ERA in 74 2/3 innings for Toronto in 2009. The players must pass physicals to complete the trade, according to the report."
Brandon Morrow to Dunedin for physical tomorrow... Toronto bound?
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December 22
Seattle Times
 
"My sources in Seattle just told me Brandon Morrow is off to Florida for a physical tomorrow. Toronto has its spring training facilities in Dunedin, Fla. and that's an easier haul for Morrow from California than having to cross a border into Canada. The Blue Jays routinely handle their physicals down there since so many players live in Florida to begin with. Morrow's flight leaves at 10 a.m. Pacific time, so don't expect any word on the deal being officially done until much later in the day, if not Wednesday. My Toronto sources also just told me that Brandon League is off to Seattle for his physical tomorrow. So, Morrow is now definitely history with the Mariners after an up-and-down career ..."
Now That Cliff Lee Is In Seattle, Who Will Be Next?
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December 18
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 
"So this week the Mariners pulled off one of the biggest blockbuster trades in the history of baseball. By landing Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, Seattle has found itself in the American League West Pennant talks once again. GM Jack Zduriencik stated earlier this week that the deal was not the last for Seattle and he is looking to improve the team in any way he can. So the biggest question is who is next? Let's look at the list of players out there, Jason Bay It's old, I know, Jason Bay, everyone wants to talk about where Bay is going, and for how much? But Seattle does have some factors playing in their favor. Bay, who was born in British Columbia, played his college ball at the University of ..."
Should the Seattle Mariners Pursue Jason Marquis?
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December 18
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 
"Though the most exciting three and a half days of the off season are over, the rumors will of course, continue to fly through the off season-and the latest one on the Mariners front, from Fox sports, is that the M's are interested in RHP Jason Marquis. The Mariners bid for right-hander Rich Harden. They're in the mix for righty John Lackey. They're looking at righty Ben Sheets and lefties Doug Davis and Jarrod Washburn-virtually every free-agent starter, it seems." Marquis is an interesting thought for the Mariners-one that might be worth exploring. He probably isn't the bona fide No. two that we desperately need, but for the right price, he'd probably do a better job if slotted in behind ..."
Lee happy to be a Mariner - kinda, sorta
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December 18
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"Cliff Lee said all the right things. He's excited about the opportunity with the Seattle Mariners, about pitching with Felix Hernandez, about the prospect of playing in pitcher-friendly Safeco Field and about having the likes of Franklin Gutierrez, Ichiro Suzuki and Jack Wilson playing defense behind him. But even over a conference call from Puerto Rico, while he tried to remain positive about his team and new situation, Lee couldn't hide a tinge of disappointment in his voice. It's not that he's upset about being traded to Seattle. It's that he never expected it. "At first, I didn't believe it. I thought we were working out an extension with the Phillies," Lee said. "I thought I was ..."
Carlos Silva for Milton Bradley is going down
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December 18
Seattle Times
 
"Last week at the winter meetings, the Chicago Cubs and Mariners discussed a possible Carlos Silva for Milton Bradley swap. "Not happening,'' a top Mariners official said afterwards. Well, it is happening now. The Cubs have agreed to send Bradley to Seattle for Silva, as first posted by colleague Larry Stone. Silva had damage to his rotator cuff and labrum last season and hasn't really pitched since May, other than a couple of relief efforts. But the Cubs are willing to take that chance."
3 teams interested, but Bradley deal not close
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December 18
Foxsports.com
 
"At least three teams remain interested in Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley — the Rays, Rangers and Mariners. However, no trade is close, according to major-league sources. The Rays and Cubs have been at an impasse for weeks, with neither side willing to budge on the terms of a proposed Bradley-for-Pat Burrell exchange. The Rangers, one source said, remain a "longshot" for Bradley, who would fit well in their lineup, but did not leave on the best of terms after the 2007 season."
Giants, Mariners join Johnson chase
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December 17
Foxsports.com
 
"While the Yankees remain interested in Nick Johnson, the Giants have increased their offer and the Mariners remain in the mix, according to a major-league source. Johnson, as reported by the New York Post, is discussing a one-year contract with the Yankees. The Giants, too, are offering one year, but have raised their offer to the $5.5 million to $6 million range, the source said. The Mariners also want to sign Johnson for one year, but the level of their financial interest is not known. Johnson would prefer a two-year deal."
Official: Phillies acquire Roy Halladay from Blue Jays, trade pitcher Cliff Lee to Mariners
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December 16
Wilmington News Journal
 
"As expected, the Phillies have acquired right-hander Roy Halladay and cash considerations from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for minor league right-hander Kyle Drabek, outfielder Michael Taylor and catcher Travis d'Arnaud. Additionally, Halladay agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract extension with the Phillies that includes a $20 million vesting option for a fourth season. Halladay, 32, went 17-10 with a 2.79 ERA and nine complete games in 32 starts for Toronto this past season. He led the American League in complete games and shutouts (4), finished second in innings (239.0), third in ERA, tied for fourth in wins and quality starts (22), and was fifth in strikeouts (208). ..."
Mariners welcome Figgins; will Lee be next?
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December 16
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"Jack Zduriencik knew the question was going to be asked. And the media pretty much knew what the Seattle Mariners general manager's answer would be. Yet the question still needed be asked, because there was an elephant in the Safeco Field media room larger than a pre-yoga Carlos Silva. As Zduriencik walked off the stage of the media room of Safeco Field following Chone Figgins' introductory press conference for individual interviews, the question was waiting for him almost immediately. After one question about the Mariners' new infielder and his impact on the team, the question was tossed out almost matter of factly, perhaps in the hopes that Zduriencik may suddenly forget his stringent ..."
Blockbuster Mariners deal nearly done
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December 16
Seattle Times
 
"Mariners prospect Phillippe Aumont took a physical in Philadelphia on Tuesday ahead of an expected announcement of a blockbuster, three-team deal that would bring left-hander Cliff Lee to Seattle. The Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays spent Tuesday conducting physicals of key players involved in the trade, including former No. 1 pick Aumont, one of three Seattle prospects being dealt. Aumont, fellow pitcher J.C. Ramirez and outfield prospect Tyson Gillies are headed to Philadelphia, in exchange for Lee, who captured the 2008 Cy Young Award and won Games 1 and 4 of this year's World Series. Philadelphia is sending a group of prospects to the Blue Jays and will receive ..."
Phillippe Aumont takes physical in Philadelphia as official announcement of Cliff Lee trade nears
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December 16
Seattle Times
 
"Just got off the phone with Class A outfield prospect Tyson Gillies, soon to be officially traded to the Philadelphia Phillies organization once this complex three-team trade goes down. Gillies is in Vancouver, B.C. with his family and said he's yet to be officially contacted by anyone from the Phillies or Mariners and told he was being dealt. That's par for the course in trades like this. Normally, players who aren't key focal points of a trade don't have to take physicals. But former No. 1 draft picks who are pitchers? That's a different story. Gillies told me he'd just gotten off the phone about an hour ago with Phillippe Aumont, who phoned him from a hotel room in Philadelphia. "He ..."
Is Bay next on M's wish list?
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December 15
Foxsports.com
 
"Should we rule out the Mariners landing Jason Bay, now that they have signed Chone Figgins and are acquiring Cliff Lee? No. One person with knowledge of the team's plans said Bay remains a "possibility" for the Mariners, because of the team's need for a run-producing right-handed bat in the middle of the order. Seattle could lose third baseman Adrian Beltre and first baseman Russell Branyan to free agency, creating a void in the lineup. Would Bay take a competitive four-year offer from the Mariners over a five-year offer from the Mets? That is unclear. But there is little doubt that the Mariners have a better chance than the Mets of reaching the postseason in 2010. Bay lives in the Seattle ..."
15 teams watch Chapman throw
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December 15
ESPN.com
 
"Fomer Cuban national team starting pitcher Aroldis Chapman threw a bullpen session on Tuesday in Houston in front of representatives from 15 major league teams. On Tuesday morning at the Baseball USA complex, the left-hander tossed two separate five-minute side sessions, throwing mostly in the 92-93 mph range and topping out at 96 mph. Chapman, 21, also threw his slider and change-up. Team representatives who attended included Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade, Los Angeles Angels scouting director Eddie Bane, Florida Marlins vice president of player development Jim Fleming, Pittsburgh Pirates international scouting director Rene Gayo, and Baltimore Orioles international scouting ..."
M's-Brewers discussing deal for Morrow
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December 15
Foxsports.com
 
"The Mariners, who remain active on multiple fronts, are discussing a trade that would send right-hander Brandon Morrow to the Brewers, according to major-league sources. However, the deal appears unlikely due to the reluctance of Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik to move Morrow, one source said. It is known what the Mariners want in return for Morrow, whom the Brewers would add to a revamped rotation that has been bolstered by the addition of free-agent Randy Wolf."
Sources: Halladay, Phillies reach deal
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December 15
ESPN.com
 
"Roy Halladay and the Phillies have come to an agreement on a contract that would put in motion a three-team trade that would send the Toronto Blue Jays ace to Philadelphia, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. Halladay was taking his physical Tuesday morning, sources said. The status of the other portions of a companion deal that would include the Seattle Mariners, however, is still uncertain at this point. As of early Tuesday morning, the Phillies were to send their Cy Young Award winner, Cliff Lee, to Seattle, in exchange for pitching prospect Phillippe Aumont and outfielder prospect Tyson Gillies, sources told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. In addition, ProspectInsider.com reported ..."
Mariners holding two aces?
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December 15
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"The Seattle Mariners were supposed to make a big splash at the baseball winter meetings last week in Indianapolis. With some payroll room and plenty of needs, the Mariners were supposed to make waves in either the free agent market or in trades. Instead, they created ripples by finalizing a deal for free agent third baseman Chone Figgins – a move that had leaked several days before – and departed Indianapolis still with money and needs. But now the Mariners are part of an Internet and hot stove frenzy with speculation that a three-team trade will feature a pair of former American League Cy Young Award winners – Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay. Reports from multiple outlets, including Sports ..."
Mariners are close to deal to acquire Phillies ace Cliff Lee
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December 15
Seattle Times
 
"A blockbuster, three-team trade that would send former Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee to the Mariners was on the verge of being completed late Monday night. The deal between the Mariners, Phillies and Blue Jays would also send Cy Young winner Roy Halladay to Philadelphia and a package of prospects to Toronto. Seattle was said to be giving up a group of prospects, among them former No. 1 draft pick Phillippe Aumont and Class A outfielder Tyson Gillies. Lee, 31, is under contract for one more season at $9 million and had indicated to the Phillies he'd be interested in testing the free-agent market after the 2010 season. His addition would give the Mariners, who already have staff ace Felix ..."
With Cliff Lee heading to the M's, which prospects will be given up?
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December 15
Seattle Times
 
"Talk about a day of twists and turns, which still isn't quite done yet. But this piece by ESPN columnist Jayson Stark (a longtime Philadelphia beat writer) does a good job of explaining what's been going on. As suspected, this deal was still in the fluid stages all afternoon, with the Blue Jays wanting outfielder Domonic Brown from the Phillies, but being told they could only have Michael Taylor. Prior to that development, Stark writes, the idea was to send Mariners pitching prospect Phillippe Aumont back to his homeland to play for Toronto. But now, with Brown off the table, the deal has been reworked and catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud is going to the Jays along with Taylor and one of ..."
Blue Christmas for Jays fans as Halladay traded
Comment
December 15
Toronto Star
 columnist Dave Perkins
"At least we won't need to look at Roy Halladay in a Yankee or Red Sox uniform six or seven times a season. Other than that, there are no positives, at least here, to trading away baseball's best pitcher, even if the Blue Jays were going to have him for only one more season, as was likely. Halladay was a good soldier here and will be greatly missed and if he gets a championship ring someday soon, there probably won't be too many Blue Jay fans who won't be happy for him. Be careful, though, Roy. You've always had your share of weird injuries and you'll need to bat and run now. Remember what happened to Chien-Ming Wang; his career exploded when he rounded third base that time. Still, here's ..."
Phillies reach deal to get Roy Halladay in three-team deal
Comment
December 14
SI.com
 columnist Jon Heyman
"The Phillies are in agreement on a three-team trade with the Mariners and Blue Jays to acquire star pitcher Roy Halladay, SI.com has learned. All indications are that Cliff Lee will likely be heading from Philadelphia to Seattle in the trade. Sources say Halladay will agree to a contract extension to complete the deal. It's expected to be a formality, and though terms are not yet clear, it's expected to be worked out in the next couple days. Halladay wanted to be in Philadelphia, as the Phillies train in Clearwater, Fla., not far from his offseason home. The Phillies are giving up prospects to Toronto to get Halladay, but it isn't known yet which players are in the deal. Philadelphia, ..."