Kirkendall Posted March 8, 2004 Report Share Posted March 8, 2004 From the Seattle Times..By Bob Finnigan Seattle Times staff reporter PEORIA, Ariz. — While there are several "ifs" in the process, some of them big and some of them expensive, there is more than a passing chance the Mariners are giving serious consideration to bringing Ken Griffey Jr. back. Cincinnati is known to be looking to move Griffey's contract with $66.5 million still due him for five guaranteed years, plus an option for 2009. Officials of the Seattle club are believed to have had a number of internal discussions on the matter, including here at training camp. A source among Griffey's friends has said that he would be happy to return. Seattle has made no secret of its search to upgrade its offense, and Griffey, if he is healthy and willing to return as a purely positive influence, could be the optimum fit on the field. In addition, the outfielder, who left Seattle to be with his hometown Cincinnati team prior to the 2000 season, would fulfill what may be perceived as the team's need to make a public-relations bang. This is not to suggest the Mariners are set on bringing back Griffey to the town in which he made the All-Century team, or that they will do anything at all. The biggest hurdle to returning Griffey could be the five guaranteed years left on his contract, starting at age 34 with major injuries wiping out most of his past two seasons. Balanced against that is the fact that Griffey's money is spread out for years after he is done playing — $6.5 million a year is deferred. Yet, in the offseason the Mariners were unable to accomplish one of their goals, to add a big bat — as second baseman Bret Boone put it, "a bopper" — to an offense that ranked seventh in the American League in scoring and 13th in home runs, topping only Tampa Bay. Tampering rules prevent speaking of specific players, but there are extremely few outfielders available to, in the words of Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi early this spring, "add some kind of offense." "We're ready to act now, and we'll be talking to every team," Bavasi said. "But probably nothing would happen until spring games start and other teams see what they have, what they might be willing to do and what they need." With Milwaukee recently signing Geoff Jenkins to a multiyear contract, the list is seemingly limited to Magglio Ordonez of the Chicago White Sox, a free agent after this year, and Griffey, in the midst of a long-term deal with the Reds that pays him $62.5 million for five more years with a $4 million buyout of a club option for 2009. Being a center fielder and a left-handed bat, Griffey would appear to be better built for Seattle than Ordonez, a right-side hitter and right fielder. Seattle manager Bob Melvin has made clear his reluctance to shift Ichiro to center, which would be necessitated by trading for Ordonez, who will make $14 million this year. Carlos Beltran of Kansas City is another outfielder once believed to be on the market. But there are several significant reasons Beltran, who will make $8 million this season, would not be available. First, the Royals are expected to be a contender in the AL Central. Second, there is strong speculation that agent Scott Boras will take Beltran to free agency, where he would top next winter's talent list. "With Griffey, if he's healthy and still got his power," a National League scout noted, "you don't ever have to worry his power is juiced (steroid-aided). He is natural and always has been, and these days that's no small thing to consider." Seattle CEO Howard Lincoln may be the major player in any effort to trade for Griffey, certainly in all situations where the club would be committing many millions for many years. There is the long-standing feeling — now urban legend at Safeco Field — that Lincoln would not countenance Griffey's return, that there continued to be bad feeling stemming from Griffey's demand to be traded. But a Seattle source said recently this is not so: "There's this feeling that Howard wants Griffey to do penance, to walk in the desert, but that just is not true." Lincoln refrains from addressing that directly. Instead, asked about his feelings toward the former center fielder, the most important player ever to wear a Seattle uniform, Lincoln refers to a radio interview he gave last month. JED JACOBSOHN / GETTY IMAGES Griffey arrived in camp in good shape, but that's no guarantee he'll avoid the injuries of past seasons. "I can't express my feelings about Kenny any better than I did then," Lincoln said. "I was asked what I thought of Junior and Alex Rodriguez. I said, " 'I consider Alex a great baseball player, and I consider Kenny a great player and a great human being.' "Let me put it this way: If I was stranded on a deserted island and I had to pick one or the other to be with me there, I would pick Kenny without any hesitation." Asked about his feelings of adding Griffey, in the sense that at one time there may have been friction, Lincoln cited the possibility of tampering and refused to speculate. But at the same time, he emphasized, "When it comes to putting together a good ballclub, I assure you I have a completely open mind." The Mariners are known to be wary of Griffey's physical condition after five stretches on the disabled list, three of them for right-leg injuries, which limited him to 234 games the past three years. For the Mariners, possibly more than any other club, Griffey's approach may be as key as his health. Treated as a franchise player, Griffey was a monster figure in the organization. Some of it irked, such as rarely joining his teammates for pregame stretching. Some of it was affectation, such as the leather lounge chair at his locker. As one Seattle executive put it, "there will be no more Barcaloungers in the clubhouse." The status took a serious turn in 1999 when Griffey called former GM Woody Woodward during a game to complain about the Safeco Field roof being open. On that incident, Brian Goldberg, Griffey's agent, made a point. "Ken took the fall for that," said Goldberg, who was at the park yesterday to watch client Ben Howard, a San Diego Padres pitcher. "But he wasn't alone. He had a number of teammates urging him to make the call, telling him he's the only one the team would listen to." The club has made a number of changes to cut the glare during day games, and Griffey is aware of those. Sources also confirm that Griffey is aware of Seattle's firm stance that, if the Mariners were to bring him back, it would be as an essential contributor no more privileged than any other lead player. A deal could take several forms. In the most obvious scenario, the Mariners would take on all Griffey's money and give an outfielder back, probably Randy Winn. But Seattle, with mound depth starting to back up at Tacoma, could part with one or two young arms if Cincinnati would take on some of Griffey's contract or part with a pitcher such as Chris Reitsma, the Reds' hard-throwing right-hander. There is no timetable for any deal. The Mariners would wait as long as needed to see how well Griffey has come back from his ailments. If it somehow came to pass, how would Seattle players feel about having him back? A sample of responses in the clubhouse: "Fine with me." "Really? Great." "Wow!" 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BengalszoneBilly Posted March 8, 2004 Report Share Posted March 8, 2004 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirkendall Posted March 8, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2004 I'm just getting really tired of Cincy getting dumped on anymore from people inside the organization and supposed writing specialists 2,000 miles away. Only two people get to dump on the Reds.. me and the guy to my right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjjeep90 Posted March 9, 2004 Report Share Posted March 9, 2004 If he has an average season this year, it should be considered. However, the Reds need to keep Reitsma since I like his middle-relief ability. Oh well...the Reds once again become the garbage dump of the league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsfan2 Posted March 9, 2004 Report Share Posted March 9, 2004 These guys trott out this same old tired crap year after year. jesuschrist ! the way they whine they sound like Bosox West. I don't doubt for a minute that Uncle Carl would dump Griffey, he'll just make sure that he gets dumped where he can get the most money for him. While the Mariners sit on their thumbs waiting to see if Griffey has healed, he'll be bought boxed and delivered to Boston .......... New York .. or LA and next year the Seattle papers will be talking about acquiring him from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted March 9, 2004 Report Share Posted March 9, 2004 Hey guys. I vote we just skip baseball season this year and go straight to football. Whadaya say? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjjeep90 Posted March 9, 2004 Report Share Posted March 9, 2004 Sounds good to me billybroome I heard Steinbrener might be interested since Sheffield is going to be sitting out until June. Of course.....the Yankees can afford to have all-stars sitting on the bench like Bernie Williams and/or Matsui. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirkendall Posted March 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2004 Man, when baseball kicks off in April, I think its one of the best moments in sports. Call me crazy, but the beginning of baseball marks the beginning of summer parties, BBQs and girls in bikini tops -- whats better than that?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted March 9, 2004 Report Share Posted March 9, 2004 Call me crazy, but the beginning of baseball marks the beginning of summer parties, BBQs and girls in bikini tops -- whats better than that?? How 'bout girls WITHOUT bikini tops? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsfan2 Posted March 9, 2004 Report Share Posted March 9, 2004 Man, when baseball kicks off in April, I think its one of the best moments in sports. Call me crazy, but the beginning of baseball marks the beginning of summer parties, BBQs and girls in bikini tops -- whats better than that?? There really is nothing quite like opening day in Cincinnati. The parade ... festivities ... the park decked out.Opening day in Cincy is like Mardis Gras in NewAhlens ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrishcovga Posted March 14, 2004 Report Share Posted March 14, 2004 Never been a baseball fan, and only tried to get into it , because of the success that the Braves have has since I've lived in the south. I will say this however on Griffey's part..---Personally I would just like to see him play up to his abilities before he became a red.. or should I say red-shirted.The move closer home backfired on him about as bad as it could have, and I feel kind of sorry for him,because he was the one I wanted to see break all the home run records. If he could go back to the seahawks and reclaim some former glory I would be happy for the guy. I hate to see the truly great players decline so terribly no matter what the sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirkendall Posted March 14, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2004 The move closer home backfired on him about as bad as it could have, and I feel kind of sorry for him,because he was the one I wanted to see break all the home run records. I don't think moving back home backfired, only because he has been decimated by injuries and that's something unavoidable. It was bound to happen from his reported lack of working out and relying solely on his abilities; that's what I think backfired on him. I feel bad for him too because of the injuries and the supposed to be story of the decade, Jr returns home and finishes his great career by breaking the home run record. That would have been damned near poetic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted March 14, 2004 Report Share Posted March 14, 2004 If he could go back to the seahawks and reclaim some former glory I would be happy for the guy. I hate to see the truly great players decline so terribly no matter what the sport. No wonder he's hurt all the time! He's been playin' football for the Seattle Seahawks!! (Just kiddin' ya there Chris. I know you meant the "Mariners"!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirkendall Posted March 14, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2004 If he could go back to the seahawks and reclaim some former glory I would be happy for the guy. I hate to see the truly great players decline so terribly no matter what the sport.No wonder he's hurt all the time! He's been playin' football for the Seattle Seahawks!! (Just kiddin' ya there Chris. I know you meant the "Mariners"!) I didn't even catch that, that's hilarious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrishcovga Posted March 14, 2004 Report Share Posted March 14, 2004 Dang, I didn't catch it either....Griffey probably could have made a decent wr though..? lol ....Needless to say, that I've got a "football-Jones"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted March 14, 2004 Report Share Posted March 14, 2004 Griffey probably could have made a decent wr though He's big enough to go over the middle, with great hands to boot! He's demonstrated that time and time again robbing guy's of home runs with his outfield play. I honestly think the odds have to even out with Griffey, and he has at least one good year with the Reds! Hopefully this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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