WEDNESDAY: Armstrong, through a spokesman, clarified that his comments about Griffey were meant in a broad, rather than impending, context. It doesn’t sound like any trade talks have occurred at this point. I’m sure we’ll be revisiting this topic though.
TUESDAY: Bob Nightengale spoke to Ken Griffey Jr. recently. Junior’s comments were not surprising or new – if the Reds decide to trade him he wants to play for a contender. Nightengale also has a comment from Mariners President Chuck Armstrong, who admitted he’d like Griffey to retire a Mariner.
Griffey makes $12.5MM this year and has a $16.5MM option for ’09 with a $4MM buyout (much of the money is deferred). It’s unknown whether Griffey would require that the ’09 option be exercised in the event of a trade, but that wouldn’t be surprising. Reds GM Walt Jocketty has yet to engage in trade discussions about Griffey.
Peter Gammons suggested the Cubs might be a fit, but they won’t pick up the option and that figures to be a problem. The Mariners could certainly make room at DH and right field. Griffey could help the Indians, Braves, and Padres as well.
Trading Junior makes more sense than trading Adam Dunn. While Griffey might be able to maintain Type A status when the Elias rankings come out this winter, the Reds would not get draft pick compensation for him unless they offer arbitration. That’d be a risky move.
