Mariners
With dismal first half over, M's prepare for new start

By Bob Finnigan
Seattle Times staff reporter

JIM BATES / THE SEATTLE TIMES Manager Bob Melvin wasn’t immune from feeling the frustration of the Mariners’ 32-54 first half.

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In recent years, when the Mariners have faced a crucial 2½ weeks, it has been in the heat of the pennant race or start of the postseason.

But in this summer of weirdness in Mariners Nation, club officials are entering a period that could shape the team on the field for years.

For after a ruinous first half, what comes out of the next 17 days — through the July 31 trading deadline — will segue into the final two months of the season, which, more than anything else, could be a tryout stage for young players.

In the next few weeks, Seattle officials will be working on trades that could add to the mix — like the three players they got for Freddy Garcia — now and/or later.

They do so, feeling the frustration that runs top to bottom in the organization, as well as in the stands, but they won't allow themselves to be pressed by it.

"We're all sensitive to the feeling and understand it," general manager Bill Bavasi said. "Do we share it? I'd say yes. There will be changes.

"But I don't think what we'd do would be blowing it up.

"There is the potential to move fast on some changes. But we'll be taking a lot of different avenues — trades and the offseason free-agent market."

With or without additional prospects coming in trades, the Mariners seem certain to look hard at their minor-leaguers, including position players Jose Lopez, who will be up from Class AAA Tacoma when he recovers from his leg injury, Greg Dobbs, Jeremy Reed, Jamal Strong and Bucky Jacobsen.

Among pitchers, Clint Nageotte and Matt Thornton should be back in Seattle, along with George Sherrill and Bobby Madritsch.

Tonight Cleveland @ Seattle, 7:05 p.m.

"Some rebuilding is destined to take place on any club," said Bavasi, who felt the nine straight losses to end the first half. "But beyond acknowledging we will make moves, details will have to stay private.

"Will there be pain? Hell, I hope not. I've had enough."

Then he added, "Yeah, there'll be some pain in the second half (he wouldn't commit beyond that); we've got changes to make."

Seattle already has moved Garcia, its most tradable piece, and Rich Aurilia, the most obvious piece.

Further efforts will center on John Olerud, Ron Villone, Bret Boone, Mike Myers, Gil Meche and possibly Shigetoshi Hasegawa.

Other candidates may be less evident. For instance, the Mariners are thought to have been approached by a half-dozen teams about closer Eddie Guardado. If a team like the Chicago Cubs or even the Cleveland Indians can bid high enough, Seattle might listen, although it has no other closing candidate.

Jamie Moyer, considered a player/coach and leader by example, could be in the same category, although any move involving him would require his approval under his 10-5 contract rights (any player with 10 years in the majors and at least five with his current club can veto any trade).

	MARK HARRISON / THE SEATTLE TIMES Edgar Martinez hit four home runs and drove in 19 runs in May, but his average fell to just .227.

Then there is designated hitter Edgar Martinez, who will determine his own fate.

There will be a market for some of those the Mariners choose to trade, especially the pitchers, without need of waivers before July 31, or being waived through the leagues thereafter.

If they cannot deal Olerud, who rejected a trade to San Francisco early in the season and for whom there may be no takers, anyway, there is a considerable chance they will designate him for assignment as they did with veteran Aurilia on Saturday.

Boone, with $9.25 million due next year, has a market so limited as to be virtually non-existent. He was included in a package that would have sent him and Garcia to the Yankees, but that fell apart when New York balked at having to give up players as well as pick up Boone's 2005 salary.

If the Yankees fail to trade in other areas, they may come after Boone again.

From one aspect, Seattle is boxed into a need to deal. With an apparently firm intention to use the second half as a look-see for as many as a half-dozen prospects, it needs to open roster spots.

There also could be a need for an excess of young players to show they deserve to stay and play here next year.

For one thing, beyond the likes of Carlos Beltran, Nomar Garciaparra, Carlos Delgado and a few pitchers, there are few top-shelf free agents that would seem to be a fit for Seattle.

"It's not a deep free-agent pool," an American League scout said. "But there's a new spin to it for the Mariners. They're not winners any more. They're in a losing situation, and your top free agents usually aren't interested in coming in unless you overpay.

"Look at how Baltimore got Miguel Tejada. He's a good player and he brings the whole package, leadership and performance. But (a contract for) six years? No way.

"But that's where Seattle could be now. It's tough, and they have some financial resources to get out of it, but it may not be quick and it may not be easy."

Bob Finnigan: 206-464-8276 or bfinnigan@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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