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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   ADDITIONAL ITEMS • Seattle Mariners (External Link) • Schedule (External Link) • Stats (External Link)   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Friday, July 18, 2008 M's seek fresh start, face same issues Seattle starts the season's second half with a new first baseman -- former AquaSox Bryan LaHair -- but little else is different with the team. By Kirby Arnold Herald Writer SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners showed a new look at first base Thursday when they worked out at Safeco Field, but also many of the same issues they faced before they got away from it all during the All-Star break. First baseman Bryan LaHair is up from Class AAA Tacoma one week after the Mariners released Richie Sexson, who's expected to join the New York Yankees today. Besides the change at first base and the wrinkle LaHair's addition will create in the batting order, little else was different with the Mariners. Trade speculation continued to swirl around a club that could be a big-time seller with two weeks remaining before the July 31 trade deadline. Pitcher Erik Bedard's injury status remained uncertain because he wasn't at the workout (late flight from Toronto, manager Jim Riggleman said). And Riggleman still must be creative in order to spread a suitable number of at-bats to LaHair, Jose Vidro and Kenji Johjima. Handle all that the right way and Riggleman figures the Mariners can chip into their poor record, 37-58 going into tonight's game against the Cleveland Indians. "The key is to play solid baseball every day," Riggleman said. "Minimize poor performances as much as we can, have as many good days as we can. "We're not setting any specific goals as far as numbers, but to salvage the season we just have to regain our respect in the league. I think we've lost some respect from some teams (because of) our record. I think we've got to send a message that we're a formidable group and they're not going to come in here and wipe us out. If you want to beat us, you're going to have to play good baseball." The Mariners are 12-11 under Riggleman, the former bench coach who took over when John McLaren was fired as manager June 26. Bedard's return could be a boost, although nobody knew his injury status on Thursday because of his late flight. He has been on the disabled list since July 5 because of stiffness in his left shoulder. Riggleman said Bedard seemed better before the All-Star break but wasn't sure if he felt good enough to throw during the break as pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre asked of all the pitchers. "I won't know how he is until I see him throw a bullpen," Riggleman said. "We should know a lot more in the next two or three days." There's also the trade talk that's always a distraction at this time of the season. With little to play for but respect, the Mariners could use trades to land much-needed hitting prospects. The most often-mentioned trade chips have been reliever Arthur Rhodes, left-handed starter Jarrod Washburn, left fielder Raul Ibanez and Bedard, although his injury has muddled his situation. The Philadelphia Phillies, who'd shown interest in Bedard, acquired Joe Blanton from the A's on Thursday. "I don't want to lose any of the players, but we've got to do what's best for the organization," Riggleman said. "I think the players' best way to approach it is that if their names are mentioned by other clubs in trade talks, that's an indication of how good a player they are. A player should look at it as a flattering thing." That's how LaHair is seeing things now. He won't officially become a Mariner until the team calls him up from Tacoma today, although he was at Safeco Field working out Thursday. The Mariners already had cleared roster room for him by optioning infielder Tug Hulett back to Tacoma on Thursday. LaHair, a left-hander, was batting .263 with 12 home runs and 53 RBI for the Rainiers. Because the Indians will start left-handers in all three games this weekend, Riggleman said LaHair probably would start only once. LaHair will get most of his playing time against right-handed pitching. Riggleman said he would bat seventh or eighth. "I've believed in myself for a long time that one day this would happen," LaHair said. "I've got to continue to work hard and just get better. I want to show them that I can do the job."

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