Mariners
Cashing in Kazu may take M's time

By Larry Stone
Seattle Times staff reporter

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Kazu Sasaki's money is not going to be converted into Ivan Rodriguez, who this week consummated the longest flirtation since Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis by finally signing with the Detroit Tigers.

However, Seattle fans who are still salivating for a big-name acquisition need not give up, even as the Mariners strive to lower expectations by downgrading the amount of disposable income resulting from Sasaki's departure.

Yeah, superstars vulnerable to a regime change are still out there, but the Mariners and their fans probably will have to be patient — beyond Opening Day — before they're truly on the trade market.

"I think players who might be available later are more valuable right now to their current team," said one general manager with a sought-after player. "You don't have the competition in the bidding you'll have later, when teams want to load up for the stretch drive."

The three names that have popped up most frequently among wishful (or should that be wistful?) thinkers are outfielders Carlos Beltran of the Kansas City Royals, Magglio Ordonez of the Chicago White Sox and Geoff Jenkins of the Milwaukee Brewers, all of whom are eligible for free agency after the season.

The one likeliest to be available now is Ordonez, who comes with a heavy bat and a heavier price tag. Ordonez, a right fielder who drove in 135 runs two years ago, will earn $14 million in 2003, nearly one-fourth of the Sox's $57 million payroll.

The White Sox have been led to believe that any talk of a long-term deal for Ordonez will begin at $15 million a year, and that Ordonez is inclined to play out the season and then test the market.

Speaking over the weekend at SoxFest, a fan forum in Chicago, White Sox general manager Ken Williams said at a Q&A session that "Maggs (Ordonez) and Carlos Lee aren't going anywhere. We do not expect to make any deals at this point. I don't think there are any matches."

The "at this point," of course, leaves the door cracked a tad. Earlier this spring, the Sox were prepared to trade Ordonez to the Boston Red Sox for Nomar Garciaparra as the back end of the Alex Rodriguez-Manny Ramirez blockbuster. The Los Angeles Dodgers, whose new ownership is trying to win over a skeptical fan base, have been rumored as a possible player for Ordonez. The White Sox are asking for starter Odalis Perez, setup man Guillermo Mota, one of the Dodgers' top two pitching prospects, Edwin Jackson or Greg Miller, and a fourth player, according to the Los Angeles Times.

As for the Mariners, there have been ongoing rumors that the White Sox have interest in Freddy Garcia, partially on the belief that new manager Ozzie Guillen, a Venezuelan, could bring out the best in his countryman.

The word at the winter meetings was that the White Sox wouldn't even talk about a trade with the Mariners that didn't include relief phenom Rafael Soriano. Any Mariners deal for an outfielder would logically include Randy Winn, which in the case of Ordonez would necessitate Ichiro moving to center field. The Mariners are reluctant to make that switch, but believe Ichiro would accept it for a player of Ordonez's caliber.

Beltran, a center fielder of immense talent, could be the ideal acquisition for the Mariners. He plays the right position, and his 2004 salary of $9 million is not as oppressive as Ordonez's $14 million. And if the Royals were as pitiful as they used to be, it would be a viable proposition.

But after remaining in surprising contention most of last season, the Royals believe they have a legitimate chance to win the AL Central, particularly with the apparent weakening of their top rivals, the White Sox and two-time defending division champion Minnesota Twins.

Royals GM Allard Baird realizes they have little chance to retain Beltran, a Scott Boras client, after this year. But his strong inclination is to take the outfielder into the season, alongside new addition Juan Gonzalez, and try to win the division. Owner David Glass has shown a willingness to stretch the payroll in that pursuit.

Baird leaves an out, telling a reporter recently, "I've maintained all offseason that if (a trade for Beltran) fits and makes us a better team, I'd have to do it ... this isn't like (Johnny) Damon. We have the resources, so we are able to keep Beltran, but if there is something that is a 100 percent baseball deal that makes us better, we have to be open to it."

Should Kansas City falter and fall out of the race, Beltran would likely be available as the Royals try to assure themselves some return before free agency. In fact, some baseball insiders believe that if the Royals stumble badly, first baseman Mike Sweeney might be available as well. Sweeney, who will make $11 million a year through 2007, has a limited no-trade clause but would likely waive it for the Mariners; his wife is from Tacoma.

As for Jenkins, he is currently negotiating with the Brewers on a long-term contract extension. If that falls apart — and Jenkins says he doesn't want to negotiate once spring training opens — then Jenkins could be available before Opening Day.

But having already traded Richie Sexson and enduring considerable fan backlash over substantial payroll cuts, it's not likely the Brewers would incur more wrath by trading their most popular remaining player — at least not until they fall hopelessly out of contention, which should be May, June, tops.

Jenkins, who will earn $8.25 million in the final year of a four-year contract, was on his way to a big season last year before breaking his thumb and missing the final month. He wound up with a .296 average, 28 homers and 95 RBI. Injuries have plagued Jenkins, who hasn't played in more than 124 games since 2000.

Other intriguing offensive players who are entering the final year of their contracts, and thus potentially available at the trade deadline, include outfielders Trot Nixon of Boston (the Red Sox are working on an extension), J.D. Drew of Atlanta, Garret Anderson of Anaheim (don't hold your breath) and Richard Hidalgo of Houston.

Infielders in that category include Garciaparra, Jose Vidro and Orlando Cabrera of Montreal, Sexson of Arizona, Carlos Delgado of Toronto (who carries a daunting $18.5 million salary into the season), Corey Koskie of Minnesota and Eric Chavez of Oakland (see Anderson; Oakland GM Billy Beane said last week, "There's no one this side of Mickey Mantle we would consider trading Eric for.").

A wild card is Florida third baseman Mike Lowell, who could opt out of his four-year extension if the Marlins are unable to obtain financing on a new stadium.

And in the category of salary albatrosses, there's always Ken Griffey Jr., who has a mere $66.5 million remaining on his contract through 2008; Pittsburgh catcher Jason Kendall, owed $42 million through 2007; and Cleveland outfielder Matt Lawton, owed $14 million through 2005.

We won't even mention Ramirez, still owed nearly $100 million through 2008.

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com

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