Mariners Trade Rumors

"The Seattle Mariners covet Ken Griffey Jr., want him as much as a loving mother wants to see her children on Mother's Day. Club President Chuck Armstrong wants the Cincinnati Reds outfielder desperately, wants him to inject excitement into the Mariners and boost attendance, because Armstrong knows Griffey is a deity in the Northwest. That's why Duane Shaffer, a special assistant to the executive vice president, was in Shea Stadium on Sunday, May 11 — to check out Griffey."

"Ken Griffey Jr. wondered if the Reds were getting ready to trade him. "They must be showcasing me," he joked. "Day game after a doubleheader." A Seattle official was reportedly at Shea Sunday. But the Reds haven't had any significant trade talk about Griffey. He's in the final year of his contract. The club holds a $16.5 million option with a $4 million buyout."

"As the season approaches the quarter pole, more moves will be made. There's too much money to be made in baseball for owners to sit idly by as their teams fall further behind in the standings...Teams are also more willing to dump expensive players in the interest of moving forward with prospects. It happened with Pittsburgh starter Matt Morris. So who's on the hot seat now? Here's a look:"

"Mariners officials downplayed a USA Today story on Tuesday that suggested Ken Griffey Jr. could join the team shortly. Mariners president Chuck Armstrong was quoted in the story saying: "I think everybody in Seattle would like to see him retire in a Mariners uniform. He was born a Mariner and I'd like to see him finish up as a Mariner."... But Armstrong did relay information through the team's media-relations director, Tim Hevly, stating categorically that he was not referring in the interview to any pending acquisition of the onetime Mariners superstar from the Cincinnati Reds."

"After a USA Today article incited speculation about Ken Griffey Jr.'s desire to play in Seattle, both the player and his agent said the buzz was overblown. In the national publication's Tuesday editions, Griffey said it's "everybody's dream to go back to where they started." The Reds' foundering record has many wondering what sort of lineup shakeups could happen here - and the ninth-year Reds player is eligible to enter the market as a free agent after this season if the Reds don't pick up his $16 million option for 2009. The USA Today story said Griffey expects the Reds to approach him before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline seeking his approval for a trade."

"With the slumping Vidro looking desperately lost at the plate – he went 0-for-4 against the Angels on Sunday, stranding five runners, finishing the day with a batting average of .208 – the idea of replacing him with Thomas, at minimum cost, seems like a no-brainer. On the other hand, we’re talking about an egocentric baseball player and his contract. Nothing about either is simple."

"Frank Thomas's career as a Toronto Blue Jay ended quietly yesterday morning after a closed-door meeting with GM J.P. Ricciardi... The veteran star, who was mired in an early season slump, will be paid the full remainder of what he's owed on his $8 million (U.S.) 2008 salary. He is now free to sign with another team. Rumoured favourites to procure his services include Seattle, Tampa Bay and Oakland."

"It allows them to bypass the expensive annoyance of the arbitration process, and, in some cases, to buy out early years of free agency. The Mariners did it with Yuniesky Betacourt (who signed a four-year, $13.75 million extension last year) and Jose Lopez (four years, $6.07 million), and are believed to be exploring the same, on a larger scale, with Felix Hernandez."

"This is a no-excuses season for the Mariners, from the top on down. CEO Howard Lincoln put himself on the firing line when he decided — over the objections of a significant portion of the team's clientele — to retain general manager Bill Bavasi last September."

"Reitsma's options are retirement, accepting the demotion, or asking the Mariners to release him. The Mariners are under no obligation to grant a release, and even if they did, it's not clear that other teams would rush in with major league contract offers. The other 29 major league teams also are busy trimming players to reach the 25-man Opening Day limit, and there are precious few openings for pitchers who aren't healthy."

"Scouts for the Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals clustered behind a chain-link fence to watch Ponson's latest reincarnation. A pitcher who once huffed and puffed to muster an 88 mph fastball threw with little obvious effort and significantly more velocity. "I'm throwing nice and free again. I don't have to force anything," Ponson said."

"For Seattle, Bonds makes total sense because it's a team not far from being a playoff contender that could use some lefthanded pop. Seattle is also a place where Bonds was received well among the venues he visited the past two seasons. But management doesn't want the circus. Oakland is another place where Bonds remains popular."

"Bedard agreed to terms Friday on a one-year, $7 million contract, avoiding the salary arbitration process, and it's likely the Mariners will pursue a contract extension with him in the near future. If so, Bedard won't be the only one hearing talk of 2009, 2010, 2011 and beyond."

"I called the ex-Mariners manager because I was curious if it was weird for him this week. Spring training will start without Hargrove as a player, coach or manager for the first time in 35 years. Is he missing it? "A little bit, yeah, but not to the point where I'm cringing," Hargrove said when reached after his round was over. "I wouldn't mind doing it again, I guess." Wouldn't mind doing it again? Managing? After quitting in the middle of last season to spend more time with his family, saying he'd had enough of baseball's grind? Apparently so."

"Baltimore Orioles pitcher Erik Bedard arrived in Seattle on Thursday for a physical exam -- the final step in a drawn-out trade that would bring the left-hander to the Mariners in exchange for outfielder Adam Jones, left-handed reliever George Sherill and three minor leaguers. Assuming the physical is routine, the Mariners are expected to introduce Bedard on Friday."

"Thousands of miles away from a trade quagmire he helped create, reporter Augusto Cardenas is anxious to see whether the Mariners finally land their pitcher. A deal that would send Baltimore Orioles starter Erik Bedard to the Mariners, in exchange for Adam Jones, George Sherrill and three minor-leaguers, is expected to finally be announced today. "

"Erik Bedard arrived in Seattle yesterday afternoon to take a physical, the final step in the completion of the long-awaited six-player deal between the Orioles and Mariners. The physical is expected to extend into today, meaning it's possible that the trade, which will send young center fielder Adam Jones, reliever George Sherrill and three pitching prospects to Baltimore, might not be announced until tomorrow."

"The Padres and Tony Clark's agent are deep into negotiations on a one-year contract – but there are still hurdles to clear. General Manager Kevin Towers said Clark's slugging talent as a switch-hitter would bolster the team's bench; Clark's agent, John Boggs, said “the Padres have the inside track” among interested clubs that include the Dodgers and Mariners."

"Orioles ace Erik Bedard had not traveled to Seattle by late yesterday afternoon, a baseball source told The Sun, meaning any announcement involving the left-hander's pending trade to the Mariners is still on hold. Orioles president Andy MacPhail reiterated last night that there was no news to report."

"Orioles pitcher Erik Bedard remained at home in Ontario last night, an indication his trade to the Seattle Mariners for five players remains a day or two away from completion. Bedard will have to travel to Seattle to take a physical before the deal, which would send center fielder Adam Jones, relief pitcher George Sherrill and three pitching prospects to the Orioles for the ace left-hander, becomes official."

"The Orioles’ target date to finalize their trade with the Seattle Mariners is today, according to a source close to the situation. The deal, which would send ace left-hander Erik Bedard to Seattle for outfield prospect Adam Jones, left-handed reliever George Sherrill and three minor league pitchers, was reportedly close to completion Monday."

"At long last, the culmination to one of the most bizarrely-played-out trades in recent major-league history should be at hand. A deal that would send Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Erik Bedard to the Mariners for outfielder Adam Jones, left-handed reliever George Sherrill and a trio of minor-leaguers is expected to be announced in the next 48 hours."

"The long-awaited physical exams for outfielder Adam Jones and relief pitcher George Sherrill took place Monday in Baltimore, indicating the Mariners and Orioles are close to completing a trade that would send starting pitcher Erik Bedard to Seattle. This is one of the slowest-developing trades in ages, however."

"Could it be that all the speculation surrounding Erik Bedard and Adam Jones could end this week? Multiple media sources, including the Baltimore Sun, are reporting that Jones along with Mariners reliever George Sherrill were in Baltimore on Monday taking physicals. The Ottawa Citizen reported that Bedard, however, was still at his home in Ontario on Monday and had not left for Seattle to take his required physical. That means the announcement of the trade could come as late Wednesday. "

"The Erik Bedard trade saga dragged into another day, but it finally appears set for resolution. The Orioles and Seattle Mariners have agreed to the framework of a deal that would send Bedard to the Mariners for five players, including young outfielder Adam Jones, according to two league sources."

"The Baltimore Orioles were on the verge of trading ace left-hander Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners last night for a five-player package headed by center field prospect Adam Jones, a bold move that sends away the Orioles' best pitcher since Mike Mussina and signals that the troubled organization has entered a full-fledged reconstruction phase."

"The Orioles’ impending trade that will send their best pitcher, Erik Bedard, to the Mariners for several prospects could be finalized by the middle of the week, according to a source close to the situation."

"The Mariners appear to be getting their man, if a tad late. Mariners outfielder Adam Jones traveled to Baltimore on Sunday, a source said, presumably to undergo a physical examination that originally was scheduled for Jan. 29. A clean bill of health would be the last hurdle standing between the Mariners and Orioles and one of the most significant trades in franchise history. "

"Orioles officials remained mum on the status of the proposed deal that would send ace pitcher Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners for five players, including young center fielder Adam Jones."

"And some think the team looks bad because it is dragging out an impending deal with the Seattle Mariners for pitcher Erik Bedard. Some think this is a sign Andy MacPhail, hired eight months ago as the team’s president of baseball operations, is just as hamstrung by meddlesome owner Peter Angelos as every other baseball man has been over the years by The Lawyer at Camden Yards."

"If the Mariners' trade with the Orioles doesn't work out, maybe they should call the Sonics. The trio of young pitchers they're talking to Baltimore about as part of the Erik Bedard package — 6-foot-9 Kam Mickolio, 6-foot-7 Tony Butler and 6-foot-5 Chris Tillman — might be able to help the Supes' front line."

"Put me in the camp that still thinks the Bedard-to-Seattle swap will take place. And the Orioles eventually will be better because of it. But make no mistake: Even if the deal does go down, damage has already been done."

"Indeed, it's now been nearly a week since Seattle outfielder Adam Jones told reporters in Venezuela he was being traded to the Baltimore Orioles as part of a package for Orioles ace Erik Bedard. Yet there is no official announcement that the deal has been completed — or called off."

"The Erik Bedard trade saga is expected to be resolved soon as the Orioles and Seattle Mariners attempt to clear up issues that stalled a deal that was nearly completed earlier this week. Reached last night, Orioles owner Peter Angelos declined to comment, referring questions to president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, who did not return phone calls from The Sun."

"The Mariners equipment truck leaves Safeco Field for Peoria, Ariz., on Friday, a concrete illustration of just how quickly spring training is creeping up. Whether there will be a locker in Peoria for left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard when the pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 14 remains unknown. After a turbulent week of tense negotiations, the final impediment to a trade bringing Bedard to the Mariners could be a last-ditch effort by the Baltimore Orioles to sign the 28-year-old to a long-term contract."

"George Sherrill won't have cell phone service for most of the day Thursday as he drives from Mesquite, Nev., to Peoria, Ariz. So the Mariners reliever might not be the first to know if he's been traded to Baltimore as part of a deal to acquire starter Erik Bedard from the Orioles."

"Orioles owner Peter Angelos didn't veto a proposed trade that would have sent ace pitcher Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners for a package headed by young outfielder Adam Jones, club president Andy MacPhail said yesterday. Asked whether Angelos were responsible for nixing a deal, MacPhail responded, "No." He wouldn't elaborate or provide details on why the talks appear to have hit a snag - though the deal could still happen."

"The most significant development in the Erik Bedard trade talk Tuesday took place neither in Baltimore nor Seattle. It took place in New York, where the Mets reached a deal with the Minnesota Twins to acquire ace left-handed starting pitcher Johan Santana...The return the Twins are getting for Santana might convince the Orioles that the Mariners' offer is as good or better than anything they could get elsewhere."

"Trade talks between the Orioles and Seattle Mariners involving Erik Bedard are alive, though other teams remain in the mix if the Orioles decide to trade their ace pitcher, Andy MacPhail said. The Orioles' president of baseball operations said yesterday that several other teams have inquired recently about Bedard."

"The Mariners' efforts to obtain Baltimore's ace left-hander Erik Bedard, seemingly on track over the weekend for a blockbuster trade centered on Seattle outfielder Adam Jones, have hit a snag. Jones was reported Monday afternoon to still be in Venezuela, rather than heading to Baltimore for a physical exam originally scheduled for Monday or today, but then canceled. Meanwhile, there is widespread speculation Orioles owner Peter Angelos is threatening to squelch the trade"

"Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi have apparently agreed to the terms of a trade that would send Bedard, a left-handed starter, to Seattle for, among others, outfielder Adam Jones. Orioles owner Peter Angelos, however, has not given his blessing to the deal."

"This much we know: Erik Bedard is still with Baltimore Orioles. Adam Jones is still with the Seattle Mariners. And speculation, fueled largely by anonymous sources, is running rampant through baseball circles."

"Talks between the Seattle Mariners and the Orioles about a trade involving ace pitcher Erik Bedard are at a standstill."

"What are we to make of the odd stalemate that has developed between the Orioles and the Seattle Mariners, teams reportedly close to a trade that would ship Bedard westward and bring three to four prospects to Baltimore?"

"If Erik Bedard were basing his travel plans on recent reports, the Orioles’ ace would have accumulated thousands of frequent flier miles — for nothing. Bedard is still an Oriole, said Andy MacPhail, the team’s president of baseball operations, despite reports claiming he’s been traded to Seattle."

"A winter-long quest by the Mariners to obtain Baltimore Orioles pitcher Erik Bedard is expected to play itself out later today. The oft-rumored trade between the teams is said to be close to completion, with Seattle having called outfielder Adam Jones home early from his winter-ball stint in Venezuela. Jones told a reporter in Venezuela that he was headed to Baltimore for a physical and that Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi had made him the centerpiece of a deal for Bedard. "

"It only took the entire offseason, but the Mariners may finally have their man. The Mariners are likely to announce in the next 24 hours they are trading outfielder Adam Jones and at least two other players to the Baltimore Orioles for left-handed starting pitcher Erik Bedard."

"A Seattle Mariners rotation of Erik Bedard, Felix Hernandez, Miguel Batista, Carlos Silva and Jarrod Washburn is close to becoming a reality. Pending physicals and interference from Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos, the Seattle Mariners may finally have acquired Bedard, a left-handed pitcher they’ve been trying to get from the Orioles this entire offseason."

"Andy MacPhail denied last night that the Orioles have agreed to a deal that would send ace pitcher Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners for a package headed by young center fielder Adam Jones."

"Bedard is a talent, without question, but he's not the guaranteed franchise pitcher that Johan Santana would be. Also 28, Santana has won two Cy Youngs and logged more than 200 innings four straight seasons. If the Mariners could wiggle into the Santana conversation, it's a no-brainer"