NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — If the Mariners acquire a starting pitcher this week at the Winter Meetings, general manager Jerry Dipoto indicated it will likely be through a trade and not a free-agent signing.
“I feel that is the most likely scenario,” he admitted, “that if we do anything here in D.C., it will be via trade.”
Dipoto indicated the Mariners prefer to let the free-agent market stabilize, which might delay a decision “perhaps until January.” But he acknowledged trade talks are ongoing.
“We’ve had a fair amount of discussion today,” Dipoto said, “both in our (hotel) room — in talking about a couple of different targets — and in talking to a couple of different teams. But nothing, I would say, is imminent.”
Even so, two trade possibilities surfaced Monday, when the annual Winter Meetings opened a four-day run just south of Washington, D.C., at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, after reaching a three-year deal to retain free-agent lefty Rich Hill for $48 million, are reportedly shopping lefty Scott Kazmir and right-hander Brandon McCarthy.
Both appear to fit the Mariners’ preferred profile for a veteran starter capable of slotting into the middle of their rotation — although both come with major injury concerns and a hefty price tag.
As for free agents, the Mariners continue to show interest in right-hander Doug Fister but don’t seem to regard right-hander Colby Lewis or lefties Derek Holland and C.J. Wilson as viable acquisition targets.
Kazmir, 32, is a 12-year veteran who was 10-6 with a 4.56 ERA last season in 26 starts, although he made just one appearance after Aug. 22 after being diagnosed with thoracic spine inflammation.
McCarthy, 33, is an 11-year veteran who missed much of the last two seasons while recovering from major elbow surgery. He returned last July and went 2-3 with a 4.95 ERA in 10 games, including nine starts.
Both are under contract for the next two years — Kazmir for $32 million, and McCarthy for $20 million — but it’s believed the Dodgers would be willing to eat a portion of those salaries.
Any interest by the Mariners, presumably, would require salary relief but, under Dipoto, they have been willing to acquire players they view as bounce-back candidates.
Sucre signs one-year deal
The Mariners avoided arbitration with veteran catcher Jesus Sucre by reaching agreement on a one-year deal for $630,000.
The deal includes a sweetener.
Sucre, 28, will make $300,000 if he clears waivers and is assigned to the minor leagues. That’s a key component because the Mariners see Sucre as an insurance policy for Mike Zunino and Carlos Ruiz.
The likely scenario is — assuming Zunino and Ruiz remain healthy — the Mariners will seek to slip Sucre through waivers at the end of spring training. The hefty minor-league salary could depress interest.
Sucre was 12-for-25 last season in nine big-league games, but he has a .209 average in 90 games while spending parts of the last four seasons with the Mariners.
Minor-league signings
The Mariners agreed to deals with two minor-league free agents: right-handed pitcher Christian Bergman and catcher Sebastian Valle.
Bergman, 28, was 7-9 with a 5.79 ERA in 55 games, including 15 starts, over parts of the last three seasons at Colorado. A seven-year pro, he was also 3-3 last season with a 3.66 ERA in 10 starts at Triple-A Albuquerque.
Valle, 26, is a 10-year professional who batted .202 last season with four homers and 18 RBI in 68 games at Double-A Trenton in the New York Yankees’ system. He has a .253 career average with 74 homers and 387 RBIs in 821 games.
World Baseball Classic
Three Mariners were among the initial list of 30 major-league players confirmed Monday to play next year in the World Baseball Classic.
Second baseman Robinson Cano and outfielder/designated hitter Nelson Cruz will play for the Dominican Republic, while right-handed pitcher Felix Hernandez will play for Venezuela.
Each country must submit a proposed final roster by Feb. 6. The 16-team tournament runs March 6-22. The championship game is March 22 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
O’Neill cited
Outfielder Tyler O’Neill was picked to the all-prospects team in the Arizona Fall League in balloting by the managers and coaches.
O’Neill, 21, batted .292 with three homers and 14 RBI in 19 games for the Peoria Javelinas.
The Mariners previously cited O’Neill as their minor-league hitter of the year after he batted .293 with 24 homers and 102 RBI in 130 games at Double-A Jackson. He is likely to start next season at Triple-A Tacoma.
Short hops
Former Mariners reliever Joaquin Benoit agreed to a one-year deal with Philadelphia for $7.5 million. …Mike Candela, the general manager at now-defunct Bakersfield, was honored as the executive of the year in the Hi-A California League. The Mariners switched their Hi-A affiliation to Modesto after Bakersfield folded.
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