Mariners notebook | GMs ponder bowling, money

DANA POINT, Calif. — In his first competition as Mariners' general manager, Jack Zduriencik finished third in a six-team division.

The event in question was the annual bowling tournament at the GM meetings. Zduriencik teamed with Theo Epstein (Boston), Dayton Moore (Kansas City), Walt Jocketty (Cincinnati) and Neal Huntington (Pittsburgh) to take the bronze, but he had an excuse. All the balls were too small to fit his thumb — even one that the lane operators drilled for him.

It was a day in which socializing took up most of the GM's time, and much of the rest of it was spent in meetings. They listened to commissioner Bud Selig, via video conferencing, warn teams of the nation's troubled economic times.

"I view these coming months with trepidation," he told The Associated Press later in the day.

Much the opposite point of view, not surprisingly, was taken by agent Scott Boras, who represents Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira and Derek Lowe among 16 free-agent clients.

"The downturn in the economy shouldn't affect the kind of contracts offered to free agents," Boras said. "I think we have to look at the revenues today, which are historic."

Boras took time from extolling the virtues of his mega-clients to address the status of one who has yet to play professionally — reliever Josh Fields, the Mariners' No. 1 draft pick last June.

He said he hoped to meet with Zduriencik before the GM heads to Seattle on Thursday morning.

Asked if he hoped to restart stalled negotiations, Boras said, "The proper word is 'start.' "

Zduriencik said he has a good relationship with Boras, with whom he negotiated a contract for Milwaukee No. 1 pick Matt LaPorta.

"We're going to talk, no question about it," he said. "I'd like to hear from his standpoint what's going on. I've heard our side; I'd like to hear his side."

Boras also represents Willie Bloomquist, one of three Mariners' free agents, along with Raul Ibanez and Miguel Cairo.

Boras claimed interest in Bloomquist is not limited to the National League, terming him a "30-team player. A lot of clubs want those versatile guys, particularly one that can play shortstop and center field. That's pretty valuable for a team."

The Mets, meanwhile, have reportedly expressed interest in Ibanez, as have the Cubs.

On the managerial front, Zduriencik said he has not yet asked any teams for permission to speak to candidates, though he has done some informal vetting.

"I've inquired about certain people," he said. "Without doing a formal request, I've asked some questions and got some answers.

"When I get back on Thursday, I'd like to sit down with ownership and tell them my thinking. We're talking, Chuck [Armstrong], Howard [Lincoln] and myself. But I'd like to talk to them face to face, let them hear my thoughts, and hear their thoughts. I'd like to start the [interview] process sometime next week."

Ned Yost, Joey Cora, Bobby Valentine, Lloyd McClendon, Willie Randolph, Brad Mills and John Farrell are possible candidates, along with incumbent Jim Riggleman.