Caruso is damaged goods
Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, December 20, 2000
By KIRBY ARNOLD
Herald Writer
SEATTLE – Making their first move after Alex Rodriguez signed with the Texas Rangers, the Seattle Mariners grabbed a young shortstop off the waiver wire who had impressed their scouts the last few years.
Then the Mariners learned that Mike Caruso is damaged goods.
Caruso is the property of the Chicago White Sox once again after failing a physical exam in Seattle. Caruso had ended his season on the disabled list with a herniated disc in his back, but the White Sox didn’t make that public knowledge, at least by baseball’s official waiver procedures.
After the Mariners discovered the severity of the back problem during their exam, Major League Baseball voided the waiver claim and the 23-year-old was sent back to the White Sox.
Caruso, who began his career with the Class A Bellingham Giants in 1996, played the 1998 and ‘99 seasons with the White Sox and was a Topps rookie all-star at shortstop in ‘98. He spent all of last season at Class AAA Charlotte.
The Mariners had thought Caruso could develop into a backup at shortstop behind Carlos Guillen.
“We liked his raw ability,” assistant general manager Lee Pelekoudas said. “It wasn’t necessarily a sure-fire thing that he was going to be a backup. But he’s a young guy who had two (minor league) options remaining and he would have given us some flexibility.”
“We’re circling the wagons on them,” Pelekoudas said, using baseball code that indicates signings could come soon. “We’re surrounding both he (Boone) and Lampkin.”
Boone, who started his major-league career with the Mariners in 1992, hit .251 with 19 home runs and 74 RBI last season with San Diego. The Padres, deciding to go with Damian Jackson at second base, bought out the final year of Boone’s contract and made him a free agent. He would have made $4 million next season.
Lampkin played the last two seasons with the Mariners but has been rehabbing since ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow last July. The Mariners, who expect him to be healthy by opening day, sorely missed the left-handed-hitting Lampkin late last season.
“Tom’s progress has been encouraging,” Pelekoudas said. “The reports on Tom are that he’ll be able to go full speed in the spring.”
“He had a slight fraying in the labrum,” Pelekoudas said. “It wasn’t a shoulder reconstruction, but it’s significant enough to where he’s questionable for spring training. It could be tough for him to get ready by opening day.”
Trainer Rick Griffin was more hopeful, saying Widger will participate in spring training drills and could be at full strength for the opener.
Pelekoudas said the team isn’t worried about having two backup catchers behind Dan Wilson who are coming off surgeries.
“We think it’s a nice trio to work with,” Pelekoudas said.
Pelekoudas tried to cool any talk that Ibanez’s days with the Mariners may be finished.
“Just because a guy is out of options, that’s not the best reason to non-tender a guy,” he said. “There are a lot of reasons why you may non-tender a guy. Sometimes it’s financial.”
Money wouldn’t be a factor in Ibanez’s case. He made just $275,000 last season.
Players not offered contracts become free agents and can negotiate with anyone, including their former team.
FSN said it will release details of its schedule at a later date.
