According to a press release, the Mariners re-signed reliever Randy Messenger to a minor league deal. They’d placed him on waivers to clear 40-man roster space for the recent acquisitions from the Cubs. Messenger, 27, pitched 12.6 innings for the Mariners last year and spent the rest of the time at Triple A.
Mariners Rumors
Mariners Eyeing Bobby Abreu
Yesterday Ken Rosenthal wrote that "the Mariners view Bobby Abreu as an ideal fit, major-league sources say, but it is unclear whether they can afford him." Today, Larry Stone elaborates on Seattle’s interest in Abreu.
Stone says Abreu’s agent Peter Greenberg confirmed ongoing contact with the Mariners regarding Abreu. Abreu is open to playing in Seattle or anywhere else. However, they cannot afford him unless they make room in the payroll by moving salary. Greenberg confirmed that Abreu is now open to a one-year deal. Abreu told Greenberg he’d win the MVP and then go out on the market again.
Stone suggests the Ms would have to trade Jarrod Washburn ($10.35MM), Miguel Batista ($9MM), or Carlos Silva ($11MM) to clear ’09 payroll space for Abreu.
Mariners Sign Mike Sweeney
According to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times, the Mariners signed Mike Sweeney to a minor league contract. Sweeney, 35, hit .286/.331/.397 in 136 plate appearances for the A’s in ’08 while missing time with knee problems. No harm in giving him a look.
Rosenthal On Abreu, Garland, Glavine, Sisco
The latest from Ken Rosenthal…
- The Mariners and Giants are interested in Bobby Abreu, if the price is right. Yesterday Buster Olney suggested that Abreu is willing to take a one-year deal. The A’s and Nationals have other targets, while the Mets, White Sox, and Braves are seen as long shots.
- Rosenthal examines the nuances of Jon Garland’s December 7th decision to reject arbitration, saying that it wasn’t an obvious mistake at the time.
- Tom Glavine’s agent Gregg Clifton did not attend yesterday’s meeting with Frank Wren; it was a health update and not a contract negotiation. Rosenthal says Glavine figures to seek a Freddy Garcia-like deal. The Braves need to save money to add an outfielder, with Nick Swisher atop their list. The Yankees’ goal in moving Swisher or Xavier Nady would be to recoup prospects.
- The Brewers are not interested in projects such as Kris Benson, Jason Jennings, Mark Redman, and Victor Zambrano. They’re just lukewarm on Mark Mulder. Benson is drawing interest from the Dodgers, Rangers, and Cardinals; one exec reviewed his audition as "so-so."
- Rosenthal doesn’t seem to buy the idea that Jason Varitek and Scott Boras feared the Red Sox could cut him if he accepted arbitration, noting that Boras client Travis Lee was advised to accept years ago.
- The Braves have reservations about re-signing Andruw Jones, who could be a Spring Training cut.
- The A’s deal for Russ Springer will be worth more than $3MM plus incentives. They’re also eyeing Brian Shouse and Andrew Sisco as possible pen additions. Sisco, recovering from Tommy John, has also auditioned for the Rockies and Giants.
Cubs Acquire Aaron Heilman For Cedeno, Olson
11:39am: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick says the Mariners acquired Cedeno and Garrett Olson from the Cubs for Heilman. Essentially, the Cubs moved two out of options players in Cedeno and Felix Pie to get Heilman, who they’ve coveted for a while. The Mariners did well here, adding a back-rotation candidate in Olson and competition for Yuniesky Betancourt in Cedeno. They released Randy Messenger to make room for the pair.
Bruce Miles says Heilman will be given a chance to start for the Cubs.
10:55am: Ken Rosenthal confirms the deal, saying the Cubs are on the verge of landing Heilman for Cedeno and a minor league pitcher. The deal is expected to be announced today.
10:25am: According to ESPN Radio’s Bruce Levine, the Cubs are close to acquiring pitcher Aaron Heilman from the Mariners. The Ms want shortstop Ronny Cedeno and pitching in return. Heilman was dealt to Seattle in the J.J. Putz trade earlier this winter. Earlier this month, Ken Rosenthal mentioned that the Mariners were likely willing to trade Heilman, "who they did not consider a key component of the Putz trade."
Heilman, 30, is set to earn $1.625MM in ’09. He’ll be eligible for free agency after the 2010 season.
Levine also mentioned that three teams are interested in out-of-options Cubs hurler Rich Hill.
Three Teams Seeking Counsell
FRIDAY, 8:33am: Ken Rosenthal says the Mariners and Cardinals are also in on Counsell. The Cards jumped in as a reaction to Troy Glaus’ injury.
THURSDAY, 5:51pm: According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Brewers are having productive talks with Craig Counsell to bring him back as a utility player for the upcoming season. The Brewers did not exercise Counsell’s $3.75MM option earlier in the winter; he’s likely to sign for considerably less.
Brewers GM Doug Melvin said talks have progressed to the point that he "might know something by tomorrow."
Mariners Rumors: Griffey, Draft, Morrow
Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune collected a number of Mariners rumors from the team’s spring luncheon today.
- The chances of Ken Griffey Jr.’s return to Seattle seem slim. Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said he plans on "taking the emotion out of signings."
- The Mariners appear to have made a "take it or leave it" offer to their 2008 first round draft choice, Josh Fields. Zduriencik did not say whether the team’s talks with the prospect have progressed.
- The Mariners plan on taking the best available player with their second overall pick in this year’s June draft. They will consider drafting elite high school players.
- Brandon Morrow and Aaron Heilman will compete for jobs in a crowded Mariners rotation.
Mariners Acquire David Aardsma
According to Ryan Divish, the Mariners acquired reliever David Aardsma from the Red Sox for minor league lefty Fabian Williamson. Aardsma had been designated for assignment on Thursday.
Aardsma, 27, posted a 5.55 ERA in 48.6 innings for the Red Sox last year. Control was a problem, but he did rack up Ks. Aardsma’s average fastball velocity was 94.5 mph.
Mariners Avoid Arb With Bedard, Heilman
4:16pm: Ryan Divish says the Ms reached an agreement with Heilman.
1:26pm: According to Larry LaRue, the Mariners avoided arbitration with pitcher Erik Bedard by signing him for ’09 at $7.75MM plus $650K in incentives. LaRue believes they’re close to a deal with Aaron Heilman.
Rosenthal On Roberts, Hudson, Counsell
Let’s take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.
- The Orioles have their ears open Brian Roberts, whose trade value has diminished as he nears free agency. The White Sox can’t afford him, the Braves are reluctant to give up talent, and the Cubs didn’t discuss him in the Felix Pie talks. The Roberts market may improve once Orlando Hudson signs.
- Rosenthal’s source says the Michael Young–Jermaine Dye discussions did take place. If you read Dave van Dyck’s article, Ken Williams never specifically denied talks with the Rangers.
- Rosenthal believes that if the Cubs make another big move, it’ll be a Jake Peavy trade. They’re not in on Hudson.
- The Dodgers have roughly $50MM in payroll flexibility right now.
- The Giants may be looking at Manny Ramirez, but they’ve also looked in trades for hitters – "presumably" Prince Fielder or Corey Hart included. Those talks with the Brewers didn’t go far. The Giants may be willing to move Jonathan Sanchez, but the Jorge Cantu talks have stalled.
- So far the Dodgers and Russell Martin have only talked about a one-year deal.
- The Mariners are Brewers are eyeing Craig Counsell.
- The Ms "likely are willing" to trade Aaron Heilman.
