Mariners
With trade deadline around the corner, M's are caught in middle

By Bob Sherwin
Seattle Times staff reporter

JOHN LOK / THE SEATTLE TIMES Bret Boone (bareheaded) is one of the Mariners' many veterans who have not performed up to standards this season.

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most e-mailed articles

Related stories Inside the series: Mariners at Rangers Sacramento slams Tacoma for 10-2 victory LaHair homer gives AquaSox 3-2 victory Other links Survey: What would you do if you were in charge of the M's?

This tantalizing four-game winning streak that the Mariners suddenly have propped up couldn't have come at a more inconvenient time.

What took them so long? Why now, when so many critical decisions have to be made that affect the organization for years to come? It just muddles the picture. It's a tease, another in a series of false hopes this team has put its fans through.

Or is it?

Maybe it is the beginning of a turnaround. Maybe gaining six games in the American League West standings over the past month, pulling them nine games behind, is an inexorable trend that will carry them into first place by August.

"We could quite possibly get back in the race," said Howard Lincoln, Mariners chief executive officer. "And we could quite possibly not get back in the race."

That's the simple but perplexing problem facing the Mariners' front office. No one knows where this team is going — up, down or running in place. As the Mariners head back into AL West competition tonight against rival Texas, they embark on a critical 36-game stretch to the July 31 trading deadline.

Something has to happen by then. One way or another, management will have to deal with pitcher Freddy Garcia, anticipated to be one of the most desired players by contenders before the deadline. Garcia is in his option season, and the club doesn't want to let him walk away without compensation, as Alex Rodriguez did.

"That makes the most sense," said second baseman Bret Boone of trading Garcia. "He's the most attractive player at this stage."

But if the Mariners turn around, Garcia is the guy they could build around.

"Looking at the situation, you have players who are capable. Why they aren't playing better than they are, I don't know," said Boone, hitting just .224. "There's no rhyme or reason. It's a tough position. I don't know what I'd do.

"Are we going for it or breaking up? I don't think it's something you can answer yet. We could gain four games by the All-Star break. If we lose four games by the All-Star break, the question gets easier. You are in a gray area right now."

You can also color Boone gray, along with shortstop Rich Aurilia (.234), third baseman Scott Spiezio (.223), first baseman John Olerud (.263), outfielder Randy Winn (.259) and even designated hitter Edgar Martinez (.250). They're all hitting well below their career numbers and could be moved out or to the bench in the next six weeks. They make a combined $30.75 million, not including bonuses and incentives, and are averaging .243, five home runs and 24 runs batted in through 67 games. The Mariners are just 29-38, quite a drop-off from their 116-win season in 2001.

"It was a pretty startling decline," Lincoln said. "One of the things we did in the offseason was bring in players we thought could help solve that issue. But right now we are facing a bigger issue: Where the club is now?"

Who goes? Who stays? Can these current players march the team back to something substantial?

"Are we a buyer or a seller?" Aurilia said. "They've been a buyer here the past few years. We know in here what we're capable of doing. We know we're capable of making up some ground and coming back.

"If we get to eight or seven back by the break, you're right there. So the decision will have to be made whether they think we're good enough to win and go to the postseason. Or whether we're not."

The Mariners play Texas in seven of the next 10 games, but late July appears to provide a stage for high roster drama. They don't play Oakland and Anaheim until the final 11 games of the month. If the Mariners are on a roll at that point, those games could provide the opportunity to close in on the leaders. Or that could be the time to deal Garcia, among others, to contenders.

"No team has broken away in the AL West, so stranger things have happened," Lincoln said. "I think our baseball people are planning both ways. It's difficult because you really don't know what's going to happen."

	ELAINE THOMPSON / AP It seems a foregone conclusion that Freddy Garcia will be traded by the July 31 deadline. But if the Mariners get back in the division race, it could change the team's mind.

Lee Pelekoudas, assistant to general manager Bill Bavasi, has accompanied the team on its nine-game trip through Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Texas.

"It looks like we're at a point where the team is getting better," Pelekoudas said. "We're not in the mode of putting our hands up and cashing in on things.

"Whatever we do, it will be with an eye on getting better this year and in the future. If we find ourselves in it, maybe we get one kind of player. If we drop out of it, we'll look for a different kind of player."

But the team will be active. As Lincoln said, "There are going to be changes in due course."

The Chicago White Sox believe they are close to being a World Series contender, and manager Ozzie Guillen is Garcia's friend. Guillen would love to pencil Garcia into his rotation. Outfielders Aaron Rowand, Joe Borchard and Jeremy Reed have been mentioned, along with 6-foot-11 right-hander Jon Rauch.

New York Mets general manager Jim Duquette reportedly has talked seriously with Bavasi about what it would take to acquire Garcia. Peter Greenberg, Garcia's agent, has hinted that he would be willing to consider a long-term deal with the Mets because Garcia likes pitching in New York. That could increase the value the Mariners would get in return.

Of course, the New York Yankees are always involved in mid-year deals, although their system has been depleted of high-value prospects. The Mariners sent former GM Pat Gillick to Trenton, N.J., last week to scout a couple of Yankees minor-leaguers, catcher Dioner Navarro and second baseman Robinson Cano. The Mariners have put a priority on acquiring a quality catcher.

"Nothing is pending," Pelekoudas said. "We take it a week at time and see where we are."

The M's won't hesitate to dispatch a high-salaried, low-performance player. They just won't find many takers.

"The thing is, when you've had the start that I've had, you're not going to get as much for me as you would normally," Boone said. "I'm sure people aren't beating our doors down. We all have to show something.

"Physically, I'm the same player I was a year ago — just as fast, just as strong. My body is healthy now. But I'm not even close to how I can play. It's killing me right now."

Aurilia said, "With the exception of one or two players, everyone is vulnerable of getting moved. I'm kind of used to it (trade rumors) now because it's been going like that since the third week of the season.

"I know what I'm capable of. I know I'm a better player than what I showed. I can offer a lot to a team in a playoff race or this team if we get back in. I know I'm going to play better. So, in that sense, I don't worry about it."

There's a confidence among the players that they can recover. Is it genuine or based on old data and faulty bravado?

Boone points to the Oakland Athletics' resurgence in 2003.

"They picked up 10 games on us in the second half last year. There is no reason to think we can't do that," Boone said. "But things have to happen. I have to get my act together. Rich has to get his act together. Spiezio, Edgar.

"As a player on this team, I know my teammates are better than we played. I don't see a sense of give up. I don't want to say this is the most important stretch, but it's going to be pretty telling."

Bob Sherwin: 206-464-8286 or bsherwin@seattletimes.com

Making up ground
Comparing the AL West standings of yesterday and June 14, a week in which in the Mariners picked up 3-1/2 games on first place:
June 14				Yesterday
Oakland	37-24	—		Texas	37-29	—
Texas	34-26	2-1/2		Oakland	38-30	—
Anaheim	35-27	2-1/2		Anaheim	38-31	1/2
Seattle	25-36	12		Seattle	29-38	8-1/2

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

E-mail this article

Print this article

Search archive

More Mariners/MLB headlines...