Mariners Rumors

Mariners Re-Sign Mike Sweeney

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 12, 2010 at 1:45pm CDT

The Mariners signed Mike Sweeney to a minor league deal and invited him to Spring Training. The 36-year-old batted 266 times for the Mariners last year, posting a .266/.335/.442 line. Sweeney was mostly a DH; he played just 35 innings at first base.

It seems unlikely that the five-time All Star will be on the team's Opening Day roster, since he'll face lots of competition. The Mariners already have Casey Kotchman, Ryan Garko, Ken Griffey Jr. and Milton Bradley at first base and DH.

Sweeney said on a conference call that GM Jack Zduriencik told him it won't be easy to make the team. Two other clubs were willing to offer Sweeney similar opportunities, but he says the Mariners were his "first choice all winter."

If he can't make Seattle's big league roster, he'd like to land a job with another major league team. The Mariners approached his representatives about coaching opportunities earlier in the winter, but Sweeney says he would prefer to play. He has thought about retirement, but wants to give himself the chance to play in the majors first.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Braves, Scutaro, Carroll

By Mike Axisa | February 12, 2010 at 9:58am CDT

On this date eight years ago, Major League Baseball acquired the Montreal Expos from owner Jeffrey Loria for $120MM, who then purchased the Marlins for $158MM. Loria took everything not nailed down in Montreal with him to Florida, including manager Jeff Torborg. MLB ran the Expos for the next four-plus years until ownership was transferred to Ted Lerner in July 2006.

Here's a look at what's being written around the web…

Capitol Avenue Club analyzes the players the Braves are bringing to Spring Training as non-roster invitees.
The Bottom Line wonders if Marco Scutaro is going to be the next Julio Lugo.
Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness thinks the Dodgers jumped the gun when they signed Jamey Carroll.
Mets Merized looks at the best of what's left on the free agent market.
Camden Crazies tries to make sense of the Orioles' interest in Jarrod Washburn.
U.S.S. Mariner breaks down the incentives in Erik Bedard's contract.
TAUNTR touched on the Tigers' reported offer to Johnny Damon.
Fantasy Rundown links to every prospect ranking you can think of.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.

Teams That Could Use Rotation Depth

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 11, 2010 at 5:07pm CDT

There isn't much choice for teams in search of starters, but some remaining free agens will provide rotation depth, if not dominance. Mike Hampton, Livan Hernandez, Braden Looper, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz, Chien-Ming Wang and Jarrod Washburn are among the starters looking for jobs. Let's take a look at some of the teams with the least rotation depth:

The Nationals have limited depth after John Lannan, Jason Marquis and Scott Olsen. Stephen Strasburg may be the most talented pitcher the Nats have, but he'll presumably have to prove it before they hand him a rotation spot. Washington is considering Wang and if that falls through, they figure to move on to others.
The Mets haven't solidified their rotation this offseason. Smoltz is a possibility, but he's seeking $4MM, which would be an obstacle for Omar Minaya & Co.
If the D'Backs aren't comfortable with Ian Kennedy and Billy Buckner in their rotation, they could look to free agency. They have been linked to Todd Wellemeyer and Dana Eveland recently, which suggests they would consider cheap depth options.
The Orioles haven't been in touch with Wang or Washburn recently, but the club may want to supplement its trio of young starters. Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman and Brad Bergesen are all 24 or younger.
Kyle Farnsworth will compete for a job in the Royals' rotation, which tells you that they don't have tons of starting pitching depth. Their interest in Erik Bedard also suggests they are open to adding arms.
It's no secret that Jarrod Washburn would return to the Mariners, but they haven't made the lefty an offer. After Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee, the Mariners don't have tons of certainty in their rotation.

Odds & Ends: McClung, Aurilia, Lincecum, Brewers

By Tim Dierkes | February 10, 2010 at 9:42pm CDT

Links for Wednesday…

According to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, Seth McClung's deal with the Marlins would be worth $800K if he makes the team, not $600K as originally reported (link goes to Twitter).
MLB.com's Tom Singer wrote about the hazards of signing pitchers to five-year deals.
Baggarly tweets that even though he isn't retired, Rich Aurilia has a broadcasting deal in place that is contingent on him not finding a job on the field.
Tim Lincecum and the Giants are still no closer to a deal, reports Andrew Baggarly of The San Jose Mercury News. Their arbitration hearing is now less than two days away.
MLB.com's Adam McCalvy takes a look back at the Brewers' arbitration history. The team is scheduled to go to a hearing with Corey Hart tomorrow, which would be their first in 12 years.
Mariners' GM Jack Zduriencik did not rule out the possibility of adding a catcher, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com (via Twitter).
RotoAuthority analyzes the Blue Jays' closer situation from a fantasy baseball angle.
SI's Jon Heyman names his free agent winners and losers. It's a well-done piece; my only gripe is Jason Marquis being in the loser bracket after signing a two-year, $15MM deal.
ESPN's Buster Olney reports that before signing with the Padres, catcher Yorvit Torrealba "offered himself to the Mets for $1.4MM." The Mets "indicated they had no money to spend."
Aaron Schafer of Viva El Birdos grades the Cardinals' offseason moves and non-moves.

Red Sox Claim Gaby Hernandez; Designate Manuel

By Tim Dierkes | February 10, 2010 at 3:17pm CDT

The Red Sox claimed righty Gaby Hernandez off waivers from the Mariners, according to a team press release. He'd had been designated for assignment when the Ms signed Ryan Garko. Hernandez, 24 in May, posted a 6.0 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, and 5.23 ERA in 146.3 Triple A innings last year. The Red Sox claiming Hernandez means all but a handful of MLB clubs passed on him.

To make room for Hernandez, the Red Sox designated pitcher Robert Manuel for assignment. They'd claimed him from the Mariners off waivers in November. Manuel, 26, posted a 2.88 ERA, 6.7 K/9, and 2.2 BB/9 in Triple A last year.

Yusmeiro Petit, designated to make room for Erik Bedard, cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Mariners' Triple A Tacoma club.

Washburn Waiting For Right Offer

By Tim Dierkes | February 10, 2010 at 3:13pm CDT

Free agent lefty Jarrod Washburn spoke to MLB.com's Jim Street, telling Street he's waiting for the right offer. Washburn quipped, "I never liked Spring Training anyway."

Washburn told Street that he rejected some offers (reportedly $5MM from the Twins among them) because he wasn't ready to make a decision at the time. Washburn says "it's not about money." He'd love to return to the Mariners, but has not received an offer. The southpaw would be happy to keep playing, but happy to retire as well.

Washburn's 2009 season was tricky – he wasn't as good as the 2.64 ERA he posted over the first four months, but a knee injury contributed to his 7.33 ERA over the last two. Instead try CHONE's projection for 2010: a 4.63 ERA in 167 innings.

Five Teams Eyeing Endy Chavez

By Tim Dierkes | February 10, 2010 at 2:13pm CDT

Five teams are eyeing free agent outfielder Endy Chavez, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports: the Mets, Mariners, Blue Jays, Astros, and Royals. Chavez had surgery for a torn ACL in July, and Morosi says he could be ready in April or May.

Chavez, 32, doesn't offer much offensively. His calling card is his defense, which has historically been strong at all three outfield positions. The question is whether his defense will still be an asset post-knee surgery.

Mariners Sign Jesus Colome

By Tim Dierkes | February 10, 2010 at 11:45am CDT

The Mariners signed righty Jesus Colome to a minor league deal, according to a team press release. Colome, 32, posted a 7.59 ERA, 6.3 K/9, and 2.5 BB/9 in 21.3 innings for the Nationals and Brewers last year. Additionally, he logged 17.3 strong innings in Triple A.

With a 94.7 mph average fastball, Colome is an intriguing risk-free pickup. Poor control had been a major flaw until last year, when he posted an overall BB/9 of 2.33 in 38.6 innings. The Mariners' other non-roster invitees can be viewed here.

Odds & Ends: Lincecum, Jackson, Blalock, Bedard

By Mike Axisa | February 9, 2010 at 9:51pm CDT

Some Tuesday night links…

Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports tweets that neither Tim Lincecum nor the Giants have budged in their negotiations, and his arbitration hearing is set for Friday.
MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports (via Twitter) that the Diamondbacks and Edwin Jackson still haven't made any progress towards an agreement. Their arbitration hearing is now just eight days away.
In addition to having interest in Russell Branyan and Jermaine Dye, the Indians are also talking to Hank Blalock, reports Rosenthal. He adds that the Blue Jays are also in on Branyan.
In a pair of tweets, Rosenthal passes along the incentives in Erik Bedard's contract. They lefty could bring in $500K each for 14, 17, 20, 23, and 26 starts, plus $600K for every 25 innings after 75.
Meanwhile, Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com report that Damon hasn't moved off his demand of a two-year deal. Good luck with that, Johnny.
Morosi and Rosenthal also report that the Rangers and Mets appear to be "hamstrung by complications at the ownership level," meaning they're approaching their payroll limits.
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick tweets that Astros' GM Ed Wade said the team has some interest in bringing Willy Taveras back on a minor league deal. Oakland released Taveras today.
Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun (via Peter Schmuck) spoke to Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, who indicated that the team has not had recent talks with the agents for Jarrod Washburn or Chien-Ming Wang. The O's were linked to both pitchers earlier today.
MLB.com's Corey Brock says (via Twitter) that it's "highly unlikely" that the Padres will sign Japanese lefty Hisanori Takahashi. Several teams reportedly offered the southpaw a minor league contract.

Mariners Transactions: Pauley, Koplove, Speigner

By Mike Axisa | February 9, 2010 at 7:21pm CDT

The Mariners completed a slew of minor moves today…

David Pauley was signed to a minor league deal. The 26-year-old spent 2009 in the Orioles system, posting a 4.37 ERA in 152.1 Triple-A innings.
Mike Koplove was re-signed to a minor league deal. The 33-year-old finished the 2009 in Seattle's system, putting up a 1.87 ERA in 72.1 Triple-A innings. He also pitched in the Phillies' and Pirates' systems last season.
Levale Speigner also signed a minor league deal. The 29-year-old had a 2.56 ERA while pitching in the Marlins' farm system in 2009.
The team also signed righty Steven Shell, lefty Chris Seddon, and catcher Guillermo Quiroz to minor league pacts.

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