M's Notes: Beltre focus of trade rumor

For the second time this week, the Mariners are the subject of an Internet rumor involving a possible trade before the July 31 deadline.

The first suggested they had an interest in Washington Nationals outfielder Alfonso Soriano. This time, according to foxsports.com, they are potential sellers, with the San Diego Padres interested in third baseman Adrian Beltre.

Seattle sources say this is news to them.

"That [Beltre] hasn't come up at all," said a club official, seemingly referring to the conference calls Mariners executives have with scouts several times a week. "We're not scouting San Diego now, and it doesn't seem like we have any plans to."

The basis for the report is that the Padres released third baseman Vinny Castilla this week. However, a San Diego official said Thursday that club has "minimal" interest in Beltre.

It may be more likely that club is in the chase for, according to a different Internet rumor, Boston's Mike Lowell.

For the time being, the Padres have promoted former Mariner Justin Leone to share third-base duties with Geoff Blum.

While there apparently is nothing close to happening, if ever, there are reasons why the Padres would be after Beltre. General manager Kevin Towers is known to like Beltre and nearly acquired him from the Los Angeles Dodgers for third baseman Sean Burroughs before the 2004 season.

In addition, Beltre showed in interleague play that he still feasts on National League pitching. He hit in 16 of 18 games at a .342 clip (25 of 73). At that time, Beltre said he felt "comfortable going back to NL parks I am familiar with."

Of the rumor — which he had not heard — Beltre said: "It would be understandable. If it ever came true it would be good to go to a team that has a chance to win."

However, Beltre's salary is out of San Diego's pay scale. He is earning $11.5 million this season and is guaranteed $35.5 million between 2007 and '09. Padres team president Sandy Alderson is known to desire a payroll around the current $68.9 million, 17th in the majors.

It is no secret that any deal involving Beltre — who is not currently being shopped around by Seattle — might involve a sliding scale. The more money the Mariners paid into the deal, the better player or players they would get in return.

That leads to another problem. Unless San Diego were to take on more of Beltre's money than it wants, that team currently has little to deal.

"Their farm system is really thin at the upper levels," an American League scout said. "And they're trying to win, so they're not going to give you much from the big-league club that you could use."

With Jeremy Reed out, Seattle could be in the market for a center fielder. San Diego has Dave Roberts available, but Roberts is hardly a premier center fielder. He is also a leadoff hitter, which would not work for the Mariners.

Reed feeling better

Reed, out since July 3 with a broken right thumb, said there has been improvement through massage and therapy treatment the last four days.

"But no one has said anything about a timetable for returning," he added.

Reed had surgery on July 6, during which six to nine pins and a plate for stabilization were inserted.

"The swelling is down, the scar is fine," he said. "It's up to me to leave the pins in or have them removed. It's usually more a problem for people with bony hands, and mine are thick."

The outfielder is frustrated at being away from the team, and would like to travel.

"But that is up to them," he said. "I'd just like to be around, and if it was OK with the coaches maybe I could help the younger players learn the position."

Reed said he watched five of the six games on the past road trip. "Some people might not understand," he said, "but it's tough to watch on TV when you want to be a part of it."

Notes

• Second baseman Jose Lopez returned home to Venezuela on family matters that were described unofficially as "good news." Lopez will be back in Seattle today, but not in time for the 1:05 p.m. game. He is expected in the lineup on Sunday.

• The Red Sox will bring up left-hander Kason Gabbard to make his major-league debut today against the Mariners. Gabbard, 24, started the season at Portland, Maine, of the Class AA Eastern League, where he was 9-2 with a 2.57 earned-run average. He was promoted to Class AAA Pawtucket, where he was 1-3 with a 4.97 ERA in five starts.

Lefty Jon Lester, the former Bellarmine Prep standout from Puyallup, will start on Sunday.

Seattle is 10-16 in games started by opposing left-handers, 7-9 in Safeco Field.

• Left-hander George Sherrill twisted his left ankle slightly while kicking around a soccer ball before batting practice. Several of the relievers have been doing this for the daily running exercise. Sherrill said he was fine.