Mariners reach tentative deal to acquire Cirillo

By Ben Walker

Associated Press

The Seattle Mariners have reached tentative agreement to acquire third baseman Jeff Cirillo from the Colorado Rockies, provided the Mariners can restructure his contract, The Associated Press learned today.

The Mariners were given permission by the commissioner’s office to deal with Cirillo through early Saturday, said a source familiar with the talks who spoke on condition he not be identified.

If the money aspect is worked out, Seattle is expected to send reliever Jose Paniagua and possibly a pair of minor league pitchers to the Rockies.

A team can open a negotiating window up to 72 hours long only after clubs have agreed on the specific players involved in a trade.

Cirillo hit .312 with 17 home runs and 83 RBIs last season. A two-time All-Star, he batted .326 in each of the previous two years.

Cirillo finished this year with 85 straight errorless games, setting an NL record for third baseman in one season. The major league mark for consecutive games without an error at third base is 99, set by John Wehner from 1992-2000.

David Bell, the Mariners’ third baseman last year, is a free agent. He hit .260 with 15 home runs and 64 RBIs.

In July 2000, Cirillo signed a $28.6 million, four-year extension. His contract calls for $6 million in 2002, $6.35 million in 2003, $6.6 million in 2004 and $6.9 million in 2005. There is a club option for $7.5 million in 2006 with a $1.25 million buyout.

Cirillo, 32, would be going home if he joined the Mariners. His off-season residence is in Redmond.

The Mariners won an AL-record 116 games last season. They beat Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs before losing to the New York Yankees in the ALCS.

Paniagua was part of a deep and talented Seattle bullpen. He was 4-3 with three saves and a 4.36 ERA in 60 games.

Among the other pitchers who might be part of the deal is Dennis Stark, who was 1-1 in four games for Seattle last season.