TUCSON, Ariz. – Bill Bavasi doesn’t need to get phone calls to know other teams are watching.
The Seattle Mariners’ general manager, with too many good starting pitchers for the number of spots he can give them, said Monday that he hasn’t fielded any calls from other teams looking for pitching.
He’s convinced, though, that the inquiring eyes of other general managers are taking note.
“Just not enough to call me,” Bavasi said. “If I was on the other side, I would notice that they have six pitchers and they can’t keep them all.”
Bavasi expects more activity near the end of spring training as teams zero in on their 25-man opening-day rosters, either by shopping excess players in trade talks or looking to strengthen their weaknesses.
“This is the time in the spring when there are a little more conversations going on,” Bavasi said. “But we’re not frantically trying to make a deal.”
That hasn’t stopped one rumor from circulating. The Washington Nationals are said to be interested in acquiring M’s shortstop Pokey Reese.
Bavasi wouldn’t say it’s anything more than a rumor.
“I can tell you that is one club I have traded voicemail with, but I have not had an actual discussion,” he said. “There are going to be a lot of rumors.”
With less than two weeks until the season opener, here are other thoughts from Bavasi:
* On pitcher Ryan Franklin saying he doesn’t want to be used as a reliever: “Our job here is to make sure we put the best team on the field. That does not exclude any one individual. He certainly is not pitching his way out of the rotation. But if it makes the club better, he is a professional.”
* On the offense, which has hit for a solid average but produced just one home run among its three big boppers – Bret Boone, Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson: “At this point of the spring, I like the offense. I don’t think anything has changed since the offseason. We have a chance of being very good. I’m not concerned about the lack of home runs at all. These aren’t spring training tryouts. You come to spring and get ready for the season.”
* His biggest surprise: “Aaron Sele has been throwing the ball better than we expected.”
* His biggest disappointment: “A couple of guys have gotten my attention. Thornton.” Relief pitcher Matt Thornton, considered the top candidate to become the left-handed relief specialist, has struggled.
Pineiro pitches well, feels good: Joel Pineiro, who hadn’t pitched since March 4 when he came down with a sore shoulder, worked two scoreless innings of a minor league game in Peoria on Monday.
He gave up one hit, walked one and hit a batter, throwing 26 pitches.
More importantly, he did it without pain.
“I threw all my pitches,” he said. “I threw 10 curveballs, some sliders, everything. No pain. It went great.”
If Pineiro feels as good today, the Mariners will put him in an every-fifth-day rotation that could have him available for the 10th game of the regular season on April 15.
“We’ll have to get him stretched out to 85-90 pitches,” pitching coach Bryan Price said. “That will probably take five appearances (counting Monday’s).”
Pineiro probably will pitch two exhibition games before the Mariners leave spring training, then stay behind to work either in extended spring training or on a rehab assignment in the minor league system.
There’s a good chance he will go on the disabled list, with his time there back-dated to make him available by April 15.
Guardado faces hitters today: Closer Eddie Guardado, whose comeback from a shoulder injury was derailed by a strained hamstring, will pitch a simulated game today in Peoria. He is scheduled to throw 30 pitches.
Price said Guardado probably will pitch a second simulated game – a controlled situation where he wouldn’t need to cover first base or back up bases – then be cleared to pitch in regular exhibitions.
Such a schedule should get Guardado in shape for opening day, Price said.
“I’m saying that as an optimist and a realist,” Price said. “He needs the repetitions in game situations to solidify the delivery. But I do feel he will have done enough throwing for him to pitch with us on opening day.”
Price said Guardado’s shoulder isn’t a concern, even though he has pitched just one inning of a B game at spring training. Guardado missed the final two months of last season because of a tear in his rotator cuff, and he decided to rehab it in the offseason rather than undergo recommended surgery.
“We feel like he’s strong enough to pitch with it and that it isn’t gong to be a hindrance,” Price said. “But we also have to keep our fingers crossed that there isn’t going to be a reoccurrence.”
Of note: Jamie Moyer probably will pitch in a minor league game Friday rather than face the Royals in back-to-back games, Price said. Cha Seung Baek will start Friday against the Royals. Miguel Olivo, who has been catching Moyer as he’s become accustomed to his intricate signs and pitching patterns, also will catch him in the minor league game. … Manager Mike Hargrove said he hasn’t decided if Jeremy Reed will bat second, but the idea is growing on him. “I’m thinking a little bit more than I was at the start,” Hargrove said. “I don’t think you’ll see him hitting there against a tough left-hander.” … The Mariners will make another round of roster cuts before this weekend. Bavasi said it’s unlikely the team will drop to the 25-man opening-day limit before its two exhibition games April 1 and 2 against the Cubs in Las Vegas.
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