A-Rod signing still a mystery

  • LARRY LaRUE / The News Tribune
  • Saturday, December 9, 2000 9:00pm
  • Sports

By LARRY LaRUE

The News Tribune

DALLAS – Pat Gillick thought baseball’s annual winter meeting might be a slow one and on Saturday he appeared dead on – the most exciting Mariners news of the day was that they had scheduled a meeting today with Tom Lampkin’s agent.

The free agent, a 36-year-old left-handed hitting catcher who tore a ligament in his right arm last June, could be Seattle’s first signing here.

Will Alex Rodriguez be the second?

“As of this moment, we haven’t scheduled another meeting with Scott (Boras),” assistant general manager Lee Pelekoudas said.

But if Seattle hasn’t planned another meeting with A-Rod’s agent, others have.

The Rangers and White Sox will meet with Boras today, and the Braves apparently remain interested enough to have made an offer.

Rumor of the day here – and Gillick wouldn’t discuss it – was that the Mariners had told Boras they would match the offer of any other team, taking money out of the decision for Rodrguez.

What the Mariners did Saturday was meet with six teams, looking for a matchup that would land a productive hitter in a trade. They didn’t seem to come away much closer to a deal than when the day began.

“We’ll meet (today) with a few more teams, and maybe have a follow-up meeting or two,” Pelekoudas said. “I wouldn’t say we’re particularly close on anything.”

With right-handed hitting catchers Dan Wilson and Chris Widger under contract, the Mariners will try today to sign Lampkin, who has begun throwing since undergoing Tommy John surgery on June 28.

“He’s a bit ahead of schedule in his rehab, and we’re told by our trainers that he’ll be able to play some games in spring training,” Pelekoudas said. “Jay Buhner was playing seven months after his surgery. It’s a little tougher on a catcher, but in February it will be eight months for Lampkin.

“He’s throwing, but he still hasn’t swung a bat. He won’t until January.”

Until the injury ended his season, Lampkin had been the more productive part of a two-catcher system with Wilson, batting .252 with seven home runs and 23 RBI in justs 103 at-bats. Wilson, by comparison, had five home runs and 27 RBI in 268 at-bats.

As for trade possibilities, the Mariners are looking for the same player they were seeking at the GM meetings last month – a productive third baseman.

“Even if we get Alex back, we need one more bat in the lineup,” Pelekooudas said. “And if we lose Alex, we need two more bats,” manager Lou Piniella said.

  • Around the meetings: Boston GM Dan Duquette arrived at the meetings late, having flown first to California to make a $122 million offer to the agent of outfielder Manny Ramirez. So far, that figure isn’t enough. When Red Sox beat writers asked Gillick about the Mariners possible interest in Ramirez, he said: “We have no interest.” … Not done yet? Among the teams courting free agent right-hander Darren Dreifort are the Colorado Rockies – the same team that’s already signed lefties Hampton and Denny Neagle to more than $171 million in deals in the last 10 days. The Rockies would love to land Dreifort, then trade right-hander Pedro Astacio. The Red Sox and Mets have already inquired abut Astacio. … Oakland has yet to make a major move this offseason, but GM Billy Beane arrived here Saturday acknowledging that outfielder Ben Grieve is very much available. A deal with the Reds for pitcher Scott Williams, rumored since the November GM meetings, hasn’t come together. … Cubs manager Don Baylor was once named National League Manager of the Year with the Rockies and knows something about pitching in Coors Field. His prediction on Hampton in Colorado? “I saw some awfully good pitchers make some awfully good pitches that produced some terrible results,” Baylor said. “That park kills good pitching.” … Free agent veteran pitcher Kevin Appier is being pursued by the Mets, Red Sox and Dodgers. … Shortstop Mike Bordick has been eyed by the Mariners and other teams, but seems to be hoping the Orioles make him a competitive offer. Bordick loved playing in Baltimore but was traded to the Mets last season. Now, apparently, he wants to return unless an offer elsewhere overwhelms him.
    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

  • More in Sports

    Mill Creek Little League softball players listen to former players talk about their experiences at regionals before the start of their practice on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Mill Creek Little League softball all-stars win state

    The team will open the regional tournament in San Bernardino, Calif. on Saturday.

    Storm suffocates Valkyries late to knock off rivals

    The Storm allowed just six points in the final six minutes to defeat Golden State 67-58.

    Caitlin Clark to miss WNBA All-Star Game after injury

    Caitlin Clark is sitting out of the WNBA All-Star Game festivities. The… Continue reading

    Chiefs’ Rice sentenced in 2024 crash, NFL suspension looms

    Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice has been sentenced to five years… Continue reading

    NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a news conference following a meeting of the NBA's board of governors at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
    NBA to conduct ‘in-depth analysis’ of possible expansion

    The owners do not have timetable for potential return of Sonics

    Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on May 20, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
    Seahawks draft pick at the center of NFL contract intrigue

    Nick Emmanwori is poised to be dynamic. Right away. He’s on his… Continue reading

    Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting three home runs in the swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/TNS)
    MLB All-Star Game features a first-of-its-kind finish

    Technically, by the time the clock hit midnight here in… Continue reading

    Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

    Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

    Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
    Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

    The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

    Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

    A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

    Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

    Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

    Jorge Polanco (7), right, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his ninth inning home run with J.P. Crawford (3) while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
    Mariners sweep Tigers on way to All-Star break

    The Detroit Tigers still have the best record in baseball,… Continue reading

    Support local journalism

    If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.