Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Mariners could be adding international talent as signing period begins

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July 2

Seattle Times

"For scouting aficianados, today is a very important day -- the first day that teams are allowed to sign international players not subject to the draft. We're talking primarily about players from Latin American (dominated annually by the Dominican Republic and Venezuela), but Japanese amateurs have been signed in recent years, as well. This is the route by which the Mariners landed Felix Hernandez , Jose Lopez , and Carlos Triunfel, among others; there will no doubt be some future superstars signed by teams during this international signing period. Bob Engle, their international scouting director, is regarded as one of the best in the business."

Cool solution for hot corner - Greg Dobbs

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July 1

Tacoma News Tribune

columnist John McGrath

"Before I suggest a low-maintenance replacement for the high-stress position usually occupied by Adrian Beltre, please meet Charles "Piano Legs" Hickman. OK, you can't meet Hickman, as he has been dead for 75 years. But his struggles should be a warning of the hazards that await any novice attempting to follow in his footsteps. In 1900, with the New York Giants, Hickman committed 86 errors. Actually, Piano Legs committed 87 - one in the outfield, and the other 86 at third base. It remains the single-season record for defensive ineptitude and explains why putting any old player at third base (or any young player, for that matter) might not be such a good idea. The ball will find you at ..."

Mariners have long-term decision to make on Adrian Beltre

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June 29

Seattle Times

columnist Steve Kelley

"When free agent Adrian Beltre signed a five-year, $64 million deal with Seattle in December 2004, it signaled a radical change in the Mariners' philosophy. The team and then-general manager Bill Bavasi were giving a signal to Seattle that they were going to be players in the marketplace. The Mariners spent another $50 million on Richie Sexson that winter, telling fans they understood they no longer could merely open the gates at Safeco Field and expect 35,000 grateful patrons to pour through the turnstiles. They had lost 99 games in 2004. Lou Piniella was gone. His successor, Bob Melvin, had been fired. GM Pat Gillick was history. A new approach was needed. The Mariners expected Beltre to ..."

Mike Morse traded for outfielder Ryan Langerhans

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June 28

Seattle Times

"Jack Zduriencik just announced that the Mariners have acquired outfielder Ryan Langerhans from the Nationals for Mike Morse. Langerhans, a left-handed hitter, plays all three outfield positions as well as first base. Though Langerhans characterized it as a minor-league trade, all indications are that Langerhans will be joining the Mariners Tuesday in New York. "This gives us a degree of flexibility,'' Zduriencik said. "We thought it was important to add another guy like this.'' The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Langerhans, 29, was hitting .278 (57x205) with 16 doubles, 9 home runs and 40 RBI in 64 games for Class AAA Syracuse. Langerhans has appeared in the majors in parts of the past seven seasons ..."

Trade Washburn? Not if he keeps pitching like this

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June 26

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Jarrod Washburn might not be the most popular of Mariners players with his current 4-5 record and a four-year mark of 27-48 in Seattle, but he's easily been the biggest surprise of a patchwork starting rotation that keeps getting the job done for the new regime. Washburn hasn't had a lot to show for it in the win column, thanks to the worst run support in the American League, but the 34-year-old is having by far his best season since signing a four-year, $37 million deal with Seattle in 2006. In fact, Washburn has been good enough that the Mariners should be growing increasingly reluctant to part with him at the trading deadline if they remain in contention in the AL West. Barring a ..."

Source: Injured Glaus has trade appeal at 1B/DH

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June 23

Foxsports.com

"Here's another name to consider for all those teams in the market for a first baseman or designated hitter. Troy Glaus. Glaus, who has yet to play this season while recovering from surgery on his right shoulder, is progressing better with his hitting than his throwing, according to a source with knowledge of his recovery process. While Glaus hit off a pitching machine for the first time Monday and could be ready for a minor-league rehabilitation assignment by the middle of next week, he is struggling to throw at distances of greater than 90 feet, the source said. If Glaus cannot play third base, he will be of virtually no use to the Cardinals. Albert Pujols, perhaps the best player in the ..."

Dodgers rumored to be interested in Washburn

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June 22

MLB.com

"Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti is not with the Major League club this weekend, having gone on a scouting mission to watch the team's Minor League prospects around the country. The likely reason is to determine who to keep and who to include in deals as he looks to bolster the starting rotation. One veteran rumored on his radar is Seattle left-hander Jarrod Washburn."

M's must find a way to sign Felix

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June 21

Tacoma News Tribune

"Following Felix Hernandez's latest outing - a dominant two-hit shutout against the San Diego Padres - two obvious thoughts came to mind. Thought One: Wow, the Padres are really awful offensively. Hernandez has had days with better stuff and better command, and yet he still carved them up with brutal efficiency. And Adrian Gonzalez, the Padres' best hitter? Well, Hernandez just wore him out with fastballs on the inside half of the plate that he could never catch up with, sending him to an 0-for-4 day. Thought Two: The Mariners really need to find a way to sign Hernandez to a long-term contract extension. Neither of these thoughts is exactly original. In fact, any time Hernandez has a ..."

Red Sox want rotation depth, will keep Penny

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June 20

ESPN.com

"Be realistic. Jake Peavy and Erik Bedard probably won't be tradeable before Aug. 1. Drayton McLane is not moving Roy Oswalt. Jarrod Washburn could probably be had, and would be a good pickup for a National League team with a big ballpark (cue Dodgers, Mets and Giants). And that's about it. Oh, Brad Penny would probably be the best starting pitcher out there, but unless someone comes up with a Justin Smoak, Matt LaPorta or Brett Wallace -- which isn't going to happen -- they are going to hold onto Penny, who is two years removed from finishing third in the NL Cy Young race. Early in the season, Penny came out throwing 88-90 mph in the first couple of innings and gradually worked his way up ..."

Mariners don't have to decide yet if they're buyers or sellers

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June 16

Seattle Times

columnist Larry Stone

"Whenever I ponder the Mariners' game plan for this crucial upcoming period, when all fence-sitting teams must make the crucial buy-or-sell decision, I can't help but think of Jim Mora. That's Jim Sr., father of the current Seahawks coach, whose incredulous response when asked if his Indianapolis Colts team had a chance to make the playoffs, has become legendary. "Playoffs? Don't talk to me about playoffs! Are you kidding me? Playoffs? I'm just hoping we can win a game, another game." And to think, the Colts at the time were only two games under .500 at 4-6. The Mariners, after getting booted out of Denver on a funnel cloud, are three games under, and not looking like a team that can pass ..."

Brewers mull options

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June 16

Foxsports.com

(scroll down)

"One scout from a team with interest in Erik Bedard suspects that the Brewers will make a strong play for the Mariners left-hander, noting the presence of a Brewers scout at several of Bedard's recent starts. Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik, the Brewers' former scouting director, certainly is familiar with the team's farm system. Bedard's durability, however, remains a concern for all interested clubs — he was scratched from his most recent start with slight shoulder inflammation. The Brewers' depth at shortstop increases the team's trade options. J.J. Hardy is in a 1-for-33 slump, dropping his batting average to 207. But he still should be attractive to teams in need of a shortstop. Hardy's ..."

Looking for an ace? Don't look here

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June 15

SI.com

"The pitching market is taking some serious hits lately. If the Padres were already frustrated by Jake Peavy's veto of the trade to the White Sox, now they have to beside themselves. With Peavy out "eight to 12 weeks" with an ankle injury, according to the Padres trainer, the team's hope to save the remainder on his contract (close to $60 million right now) is likely delayed by a year. This, of course, is not the fault of Peavy, who received the no-trade powers in return for agreeing to take what was seen as a below-market contract for an ace. But you have to wonder how many teams will eagerly give out full no-trade clauses in the future. The Braves are the one team that has made it policy ..."

Mariners likely to take North Carolina's Dustin Ackley with No. 2 pick

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June 9

Seattle Times

"When Jack Zduriencik and Tom McNamara worked together in Milwaukee, they referred to the June amateur draft as "Christmas." "The presents were the players," explained McNamara, in his first year as Seattle's scouting director. "It's a big day, and you can't wait to start picking the players." When the three-day draft begins Tuesday at 3 p.m. Pacific Time, the Mariners won't have to wait long to tear the wrapping off their main present. The Mariners pick No. 2 overall, right behind the Washington Nationals. Though some still wonder if the Nationals will be scared off by the financial demands of agent Scott Boras, they are almost certain to call the name of Stephen Strasburg, the 102 mph ..."

Upcoming draft just part of M's equation

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June 6

Tacoma News Tribune

"The upcoming draft is grabbing most of the media attention, but Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik hasn't narrowed his focus solely on amateurs - he's also listening to GMs from other major league teams. "GMs always call one another, just to see what's going on, if there's a change in direction, whatever," Zduriencik said. "You go 0-7 one week, you're thinking one way. You go 5-1 the next week, things have changed." Have other big-league teams made a solid offer for any Mariner player - or has Seattle made a solid offer to another team? "Nothing that concrete, nothing imminent at all," Zduriencik said. "A team might call and talk about a scenario, throw out an idea. If you ..."

Cheery quotes aside, Mariners should hang on to Bedard

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June 5

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

columnist Art Thiel

"Among contemporary local sports figures, only Tyrone Willingham has had his ticket punched out of town more frequently than Erik Bedard. Most Huskies fans wanted their football coach gone so urgently that a call was made to hire Superman to reverse the Earth's rotation back to 2005, so Willingham could be fired as he was hired. As it was, he was fired well before the 2008 season ended, kept on to the end for the simple reason that not even Clark Kent could be convinced to finish out Willingham's 0-12 season. The resume of Mariners starter Bedard, however, didn't spark nearly as much dismay as his seeming indifference to pitching, here or anywhere. Many seemed to wish the undemonstrative ..."

With Myers on the shelf, Philly's in search of starting pitching

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June 1

SI.com

"The Phillies were scouring the trade market for starting pitching help even before Brett Myers became the latest big-name casualty with the increasingly fashionable torn hip labrum. Teammate Chase Utley beat the four-month prediction for him to return from the same injury, but Phillies people understandably worry that it may be more difficult for a pitcher to come back as quickly. In any case, the world champions are aiming high now in their quest for a starter, with Jake Peavy appearing to top their list of desirable aces, perhaps followed by Roy Oswalt, Cliff Lee and Erik Bedard. Ruben Amaro, the Phillies' aggressive new GM, understands better than anyone that this is a win-now team, one ..."

North Carolina first baseman could be Mariners' pick at No. 2

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May 31

Seattle Times

"It's time to get past all that Stephen Strasburg angst and come to grips with reality. I recently asked a Mariners scout if he thought the team had any shot of landing Strasburg - considered to be the best pitching prospect of the last 20 years, if not in the history of the world, if not the galaxy. "Nil. Nada. Zilch," was the reply. Repeat after me: Strasburg is going to the Nationals. Strasburg is going to the Nationals. Why oh why didn't they lose those final three games? Strasburg is going to the Nationals. Oops. Not sure how that slipped in there. The good news, however, is that the Mariners can still walk away with an impact player at No. 2 overall and restock the farm system with ..."

Trade market for pitchers confronts Philly

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May 30

ESPN.com

"Weeks ago, the Phillies began the process of evaluating the market for starting pitching. Chan Ho Park, their No. 5 starter, was struggling, and so was 46-year-old wonder Jamie Moyer. The Phillies felt they had to start preparing for the possibility that they might need a veteran starting pitcher. But now their need for a starting pitcher is acute, and probably immediate, because Brett Myers needs hip surgery. So the front office must now decide when a move should and will happen, especially so they can keep the window open for winning, as Jim Salisbury writes. There are a range of avenues for the Phillies to explore, but in the end, there are probably very few reasonable options. They ..."

As Peavy saga drags on, Bedard may become hot commodity

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May 30

SI.com

"The Mariners made some early noise with their nice start to the season, but the club could create a much bigger national story as a trader this summer. Unlike a vast majority of teams expected to straddle the buy/sell fence, the now 22-26 Mariners seem to understand their position as a rebuilding team. What's more, they have decent, veteran talent to trade, including front-line, left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard, who should become an increasingly popular trade target. Bedard's value on the market could depend in part on Jake Peavy's desires and some other teams' decisions regarding whether to shop their starters (for instance, Cleveland and Cliff Lee) but regardless of what happens with the ..."

Phillies' hitting potent, but rotation needs addressing

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May 30

Chicago Tribune

"As was the case in most of the 1980s, this is proving to be a dynasty-free decade in baseball. There wasn't a lot of talk about the Philadelphia Phillies or Tampa Bay Rays being capable of a run after they went to the World Series in October, and the three-tiered playoff system makes for long odds against any except the most dominant teams. Two months in, though, don't count out the Phillies. They are going to be really dangerous if they ever sort out their starting pitching. Charlie Manuel's defending champs had managed to lead the National League East eight days in a row before slipping a half-game behind the Mets entering the weekend. They did this despite a starting rotation with a ..."

Trade winds already starting to blow

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May 28

Seattle Times

"1) The Cardinals fear that third baseman Troy Glaus, who has been out all season following shoulder surgery, will soon be shut down for the season. Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the team is "preparing a search for a right-handed hitting third baseman or outfielder given what they expect to be a pessimistic report" about Glaus. Strauss mentions Garrett Atkins of Colorado and Mark DeRosa of Cleveland, but you'd have to think that Adrian Beltre would be of interest to the Cardinals. He's a great defensive player, and it's reasonable to expect that Beltre's offense, miserable so far, will come around at some point. He has a well-earned reputation as a slow starter. Beltre, ..."

Trade front not promising for M's

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May 22

Seattle Times

"If or when the Mariners fall out of contention - and if this was July 22 instead of May 22 - they will certainly try to shed some contracts for veterans such as third baseman Adrian Beltre and pitchers Erik Bedard, Jarrod Washburn and Miguel Batista. But it's not happening yet. The Mariners' exploration into a trade of shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, who has been disappointing at the plate and in the field, has been indicative of the caution by other teams. With teams looking to upgrade to younger players at key positions, there is a market to deal now. But it is a limited market. And if the Mariners' experience in trying to move Betancourt is any indication, they face an uphill climb on ..."

Betancourt headed to Pittsburgh?

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May 19

Seattle Times

"According to sources, Seattle has been sniffing around potential deals to bolster their middle infield. One scenario would see the Mariners send Yuniesky Betancourt to Pittsburgh for shortstop Jack Wilson. The Pirates were rumored to be looking to move Wilson over the winter. He is 31, making him four years older than Betancourt (at least, upside-wise as opposed to results-wise). Offensively, the pair appear quite similar, with a slight nod to Betancourt. Defensively, Wilson would be a serious upgrade over what Betancourt has offered of late, and that appears to be the driving force between even looking at such a deal."

Beltre focused on field, not contract

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April 4

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Available: One third baseman with two Gold Gloves and a decade-long resume of excellence. Adrian Beltre still has a job with the Mariners, but he is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season, and up to 10 major league franchises could be interested in his services. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox could be the most notable candidates. Even the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox or St. Louis Cardinals could be in position to add a top-tier third baseman in the next year. Also on that list are the Mariners, who have made it clear to Beltre that they love what he brings in terms of work ethic, performance and leadership. ..."

Griffey delaying official announcement

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February 18

MLB.com

"It appears the Braves are going to have to wait another day before Ken Griffey Jr. officially announces where he'll be playing this year. Griffey spent a portion of Tuesday debating about whether to play in Seattle or Atlanta for this upcoming season, and he's expected to make his decision official on Wednesday. If Griffey reveals that he's chosen the Braves during the early-morning hours, there's a chance he could participate in his team's first full-squad workout a few hours later. His home in Orlando, Fla., is located 20 minutes from where the Braves hold Spring Training. Braves media relations director Brad Hainje said that the team is not planning to make an official announcement on ..."

Griffey denies report, says he hasn't yet decided between Mariners, Braves

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February 17

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"It's the never-ending story. About an hour after the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that former Mariner Ken Griffey Jr. had spurned the Mariners to sign with the Atlanta Braves, Griffey denied any such decision. Griffey told MLB.com's Jim Street that he was "still kicking things around with my family and have not made a decision." "This is the first time in my career that I have been a free agent," Griffey told MLB.com, "and it's nerve-wracking." The 39-year-old who played with Seattle from 1989-99 and who Seattle now hopes will serve as DH and left fielder, told the website he hoped to make a decision "later today (Tuesday) or early tomorrow morning." Griffey, his wife, Melissa and ..."

Griffey denies report he chose Braves

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February 17

MLB.com

"Free-agent outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., who is being hotly pursued by the Mariners and Braves, told MLB.com that he has not reached a decision on which team he will play for next season. "We are still kicking things around with my family and have not made a decision," Griffey said from his Orlando, Fla., home. "This is the first time in my career that I have been a free agent, and it's nerve-wracking." The 39-year-old said he hopes to make a decision "later today or early tomorrow morning." Griffey said it was a difficult decision because "I love Seattle," but the Braves offer him a chance to stay closer to home. "You know how close I am to my wife and kids," he said during a telephone ..."

Griffey picks Braves over Mariners

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February 17

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Ken Griffey Jr. has chosen to sign with the Braves, according to a person close to the veteran star and familiar with the ongoing negotiations. Griffey and Braves general manager Frank Wren met Monday in Orlando, and Wren and Griffey's agent were scheduled to meet today in an effort to finalize a deal. The Braves would be adding a 13-time former All-Star who’s one of six players to hit 600 or more home runs. The 39-year-old erstwhile “Kid” — also known as “Junior” — decided to sign with the Braves over an offer to return to Seattle, where he played his first 11 seasons with the Mariners and was the American League MVP in 1997. The two teams made similar offers, believed to be in the range ..."

Mariners focus on getting Fields in camp

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January 16

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"The status of right-handed reliever Josh Fields will be a hot topic over the weekend. Fields was the Mariners' first-round pick in the 2008 June draft (20th overall), a senior closer who helped pitch the University of Georgia into the College World Series. The Mariners hoped to sign him quickly for about $1.5 million, but he and his agent, Scott Boras, want a $2 million package, and the sides haven't been able to bridge the difference. With the Mariners front office, manager, coaching staff and scouting staff all in Seattle for meetings this weekend, Fields' name is going to come up frequently. There is growing pressure to sign Fields, because if he is going to be a Mariner, it would be ..."

Braves await word on Griffey, Glavine

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February 17

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"While the Braves await a decision from free agent Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones wondered for a moment Monday if the outfielder had already signed and reported. Jones arrived at the Braves clubhouse to find a Seattle Mariners equipment bag at the empty locker next to his. Griffey played 11 seasons for Seattle, where he was the 1997 American League MVP. Turned out the bag belonged to utility player Greg Norton, who was with Seattle before being traded to Atlanta. Jones saw the bag and instinctively looked toward both ends of the clubhouse for Griffey, who has talked a few times with Jones in the past week about playing for the Braves. Jones insisted his heart didn't skip a beat when he saw ..."

Griffey decision is imminent

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February 16

MLB.com

"Ken Griffey Jr. will choose whether to sign with the Mariners or Braves today or by early Tuesday at the latest, the Seattle Times, citing multiple sources, reported on Monday. Atlanta, seeking an outfielder, recently joined in bidding for the services of Griffey, the active home run leader with 611 and a free agent. The Braves are believed to be able to offer no more than $2.5 million in total compensation to Griffey, according to the Times, but can also offer the 39-year-old the opportunity to play closer to his home in Orlando, Fla. Griffey's daughter plays basketball in Atlanta and his son will be playing high school football later this year in Orlando. The Mariners have been talking ..."

Week ends, no word on Griffey

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February 16

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Sunday came and went without a decision on Ken Griffey Jr. The free-agent outfielder could rejoin the Mariners or spurn them and sign with the Atlanta Braves. A decision could be made Monday. Neither the Mariners nor Griffey's agent, Brian Goldberg, had anything to say about the situation Sunday. "There's nothing new," one baseball source said. "But I don't think it's going to get too stretched out." It would be difficult to stretch it out longer than it already has been, as Griffey and the Mariners seem to have been coming together ever so slowly since June 2007, when Griffey returned to Safeco Field with the Cincinnati Reds as a conquering hero. As recently as last week it seemed Griffey ..."

Atlanta makes late push to sign Griffey

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February 15

Seattle Times

"A late push by the Atlanta Braves has given the Mariners some serious competition in their pursuit of outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. Sources close to the situation say the Braves did not pursue Griffey until last week. But the 39-year-old, who has a daughter playing AAU basketball in Atlanta and lives a short flight away in Orlando, Fla., has expressed a serious desire to Braves officials about playing there. The hang-up is money. Despite reports the Braves are considering several outfielders, sources say Atlanta's choice comes down to Griffey or former Angels slugger Garret Anderson. Both are left-handed hitters, and whoever is chosen would platoon in left field. But the Braves are apparently ..."

Braves interested in signing Griffey Jr.

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February 15

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"The Braves are interested in free agent Ken Griffey Jr., and the interest is mutual. "We have interest in several available outfielders, including Griffey," Braves general manager Frank Wren said Saturday. Griffey is "extremely" interested in joining the Braves, according to someone close to Griffey. It was believed that he was leaning toward returning to Seattle, where he spent the first 11 of his 20 years in the major leagues with the Mariners, but the Braves are Griffey's first choice, according to the person. The Braves have searched for a proven run-producer to bolster an outfield that hit a major league-low 27 homers last season. The free-agent pool got smaller last week after Bobby ..."

Sources: Braves in mix for Griffey

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February 14

ESPN.com

"That Ken Griffey Jr.-to-Seattle reunion isn't a foregone conclusion just yet. Two baseball sources told ESPN.com on Saturday that the Atlanta Braves are making a late play for Griffey and have begun discussing money with his agent. Atlanta, which has been looking for a reasonably priced, veteran outfield bat, lost out to the Los Angeles Angels this week in a bid to sign Bobby Abreu. If the Braves don't sign Griffey, they could turn to veteran Garret Anderson as a fallback. But sources said that Griffey is Atlanta's prime target, and the Braves are "in the mix'' for his services. The interest is apparently mutual. Griffey lives in Orlando, Fla., where Atlanta's spring training site is ..."

Mariners sign No. 1 pick Fields

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February 14

Seattle Times

"Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik declined to comment Friday night on a report that he had reached an agreement in principle with No. 1 draft pick Josh Fields. The reliever out of the University of Georgia was selected last June but had been seeking a $2 million signing bonus while the Mariners apparently refused to go beyond $1.5 million. MLB.com reported Friday that the team and Fields had reached an agreement in principle pending a physical to be taken by the player. The report did not mention terms of the deal or say whether Fields would be invited to major-league camp. "I don't comment on players who haven't signed," Zduriencik said. "And I don't comment on players I have an ..."

Griffey rumors dominate first day

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February 14

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"On the Mariners' first day of spring training, most of the discussion swirled around someone who wasn't at spring training and isn't a Mariner. That would be Ken Griffey Jr., who wasn't on hand Friday as pitchers and catchers reported to the Peoria Sports Complex for their annual physical exams. By this time next week Griffey is expected to be a Mariner, but for the moment, he's just another unemployed baseball player trying to find a job. There are other jobs out there that he could get -- teams have told him he might be a fallback for them -- but returning to the Mariners is what Griffey wants. Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu was in the team's minor league system as a player when Griffey ..."

Junior: No done deal with Mariners

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February 13

Cincinnati Enquirer

"If Ken Griffey Jr. is about to return to the Seattle Mariners, it's news to him. "We don't know what we're doing next year with respect to Seattle. It's all rumors," Griffey said Thursday after finishing his round at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament. After the tournament, he will get to work on the sweet left-handed swing that made him a household name. Griffey, his agent, Brian Goldberg, and the Mariners are closing in on a one-year contract that would bring the team's most famous player back to Seattle. After his round Thursday, Griffey was coy about the negotiations. "We don't know what we're doing next year with respect to Seattle," he told The Associated Press. ..."

Griffey, M's close in on 1-year deal

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February 13

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Ken Griffey Jr. is busy getting his swing in order. Just not the swing for which he's famous. Griffey is in California playing in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament. After the tournament, he will get to work on the sweet left-handed swing that made him a household name. Griffey, his agent, Brian Goldberg, and the Mariners are closing in on a one-year contract that would bring the team's most famous player back to Seattle. After his round Thursday, Griffey was coy about the negotiations. "We don't know what we're doing next year with respect to Seattle," he told The Associated Press. "It's all rumors." He said he was having Goldberg handle the talks and that "as long as ..."

Griffey back to Seattle?

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February 12

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Ken Griffey Jr. could be returning soon to the city where his major league career started.

Two baseball sources have told ESPN that the Mariners have made "significant progress" in negotiations to bring the former Reds outfielder back to Seattle. Griffey, whom the Mariners traded to the Reds in 2000 for pitcher Brett Tomko, outfielder Mike Cameron and two other players, is reportedly seeking a one-year deal with a base salary of around $5 million. Last summer, the Reds traded Griffey to the White Sox in a deadline deal. After hitting his 600th career home run in Florida on June 9, Griffey hit just 11 homers the rest of the season, finishing with 18 homers and 71 RBI in 490 ..."

Griffey, M's deal appears imminent

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February 12

Seattle Times

"The return of Ken Griffey Jr. to Seattle, nine years after he departed for Cincinnati, appears to be imminent. Baseball sources confirmed that talks between the club and Griffey, a free agent, have heated up in recent days. The parties appear to be on course for a one-year contract that could be announced next week, provided Griffey passes a physical examination. Griffey had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in October to repair partially torn cartilage and meniscus. The Reds' team physician, Timothy Kremchek, has said that he expects Griffey to be fully recovered for the 2009 season. Griffey is currently in California playing in the AT"

Griffey near return to Mariners

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February 12

MLB.com

"Ken Griffey Jr. could be coming home in a few days. A little more than nine years after being traded to the Reds for four players, Griffey and the Mariners are nearing agreement on a one-year contract. Griffey, who is playing in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament this week, could join the Mariners in Spring Training as early as Wednesday -- the day of the first full-squad workout. Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik would neither confirm or deny that a deal is imminent, saying, "I do not comment on free agents." The deal would not be finalized until Griffey passes a physical, which is expected to occur in the Phoenix area. Griffey had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in ..."

Mariners have Anderson on radar

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February 7

MLB.com

"With the start of Spring Training less than a week away, the Mariners are still looking for a veteran run producer to play the outfield, and it could come down to either Garret Anderson or Ken Griffey Jr., the popular choice for a majority of Seattle's fan base. A report in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on Saturday said Anderson's agent, Scott Boras, has been talking to Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik about the former Angels star. "They need him to give that team [Mariners] a representative middle of the lineup," Boras told the Post-Intelligencer, referring to the 36-year-old Anderson, who has been especially productive during his 15-year Major League career against American ..."

Boras pitching Garrett Anderson to Mariners

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February 7

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"There's nothing agent Scott Boras would like to see more than to have his client Josh Fields sign with the Mariners. Unless his client Garret Anderson signs with the Mariners. Boras said Friday he has been talking with Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik about getting former University of Georgia closer Fields' name on a contract. Fields was the Mariners' first pick in the June draft, the 20th pick overall, and the two sides have yet to see eye-to-eye on a signing bonus. While those talks have been taking place, Boras has been plugging for Anderson, the longtime Angels outfielder who is one of six dozen free agents still on the market with the first workouts of spring training just a ..."

More than a rumor: White Sox could sign Bobby Abreu

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February 4

Chicago Tribune

"Because no one is denying it—and each side may have its reasons—the Bobby Abreu rumor that says the White Sox offered the free agent a bargain-basement low $8 million won't go away. That's half of what Abreu made last year with the Yankees, who were not considered to be overpaying their right fielder. And it's light-years from Abreu's initial request of three years and $45 million. But economic reality has set in for free agents. While the free-spending Cubs signed Milton Bradley for $30 million over three years, a player five years younger and with less power, Abreu is having trouble finding a job. So are Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn and Manny Ramirez, the best right-handed hitter of his ..."

Mariners must make decision on Griffey soon

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February 4

Seattle Times

"With spring training opening in less than two weeks, the Mariners will very soon have to make the decision that has been looming over the team all offseason. Will they bring back the franchise's most storied player, Ken Griffey Jr.? Their ultimate call on Griffey seems closely linked to the outcome of other pursuits by general manager Jack Zduriencik. If the Mariners can fill their lingering need for an offensive boost with a free agent or a trade, then the likelihood of a Griffey reunion lessens. But if Zduriencik comes up empty in pursuit of free-agent outfielder Bobby Abreu or others, then he will have an agonizing choice. Does he bow to nostalgia and the prospect that Griffey, ..."

Source: Abreu-ChiSox talks stalled

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February 3

ESPN.com

"Negotiations between the Chicago White Sox and free-agent outfielder Bobby Abreu stalled early this week after the team floated the possibility of a one-year, $8 million contract, said a baseball source. The source disputed a New York Daily News report that said the White Sox had made Abreu an $8 million offer but confirmed that the team has been in contact with Abreu's agent, Peter Greenberg, in an effort to gauge the outfielder's asking price. In an e-mail to ESPN.com, Chicago general manager Kenny Williams said Abreu is "a great player and will certainly help any club." But Williams declined to address whether the White Sox have any interest. According to the source, the White Sox have ..."

Rich Hill may be an Oriole sooner, not later

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February 2

Baltimore Sun

"I don't have a lot of inside info on this -- other than what I steal daily from Orioles beat writer Jeff Zrebiec -- but I've got to believe the Orioles nail down the deal for pitching reclamation project Rich Hill in the next day or two if they're going to do it at all. The Orioles seem to have the inside track on all the surplus Cubs prospects, but now that everyone knows Hill is available, you've got to believe some other teams will try to get involved if the O's don't finalize the thing soon. We've heard the Mariners also have been sniffing around and maybe the Royals. And why not? The guy had some pretty impressive stats a couple of years ago. It's possible that Andy MacPhail is ..."

Mariners sign Mike Sweeney, show interest in Bobby Abreu

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January 30

Seattle Times

"An enthusiastic Mike Sweeney hopes to contribute offense and leadership to the Mariners after signing a minor-league contract with the club on Thursday. But Sweeney, a five-time All-Star with a recent history of injury problems, still has to prove in spring training that he can help the Mariners at designated hitter and first base after being released by Oakland last September. "I have that mental passion and fire burning in my heart to come to camp and hopefully have an impact on the team, whether it's for six weeks of spring training or the whole '09 season," he said. However, there's no guarantee, or even expectation, that the 35-year-old Sweeney, who once drove in 144 runs in a season ..."

Sources: Cubs land Heilman from Mariners

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January 28

Foxsports.com

"The Cubs, unsure of whether they will land Padres right-hander Jake Peavy, are on the verge of a separate move to bolster their pitching depth — the acquisition of right-hander Aaron Heilman from the Mariners. In exchange for Heilman, the Mariners will receive shortstop Ronny Cedeno and a minor-league pitcher, according to major-league sources. Heilman, long coveted by Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, will compete for the Cubs' fifth-starter job or pitch out of their bullpen. The Mariners acquired Heilman from the Mets at the winter meetings as part of a three-team, 12-player trade that sent reliever J.J. Putz to New York. Heilman, 30, struggled to a 5.21 ERA last season after three solid ..."

Mariners Trade Rumors