McLemore, Boone talks still in limbo

  • Kirby Arnold / Herald Writer
  • Friday, November 30, 2001 9:00pm
  • Sports

By Kirby Arnold

Herald Writer

SEATTLE – With Bret Boone prepared to shop ‘til some team drops a rich multi-year contract in his lap, the Seattle Mariners are hoping their efforts to re-sign Mark McLemore will yield the first results of their offseason.

Problem is, the Mariners are no closer to securing McLemore now than they were before Thanksgiving, when a deal seemed just a few days away.

“We’re still probably at the same point,” assistant general manager Lee Pelekoudas said Friday. “We’re still talking to him. Things are going back and forth and we’re hopeful of getting something done there still.”

Pelekoudas said the Mariners planned to talk with McLemore’s agent, Tony Atanasio, before the week ends.

“We’re at agreement with the number of years,” Atanasio said. “It just boils down to some basic terms.”

The sides are believed to have settled on two years, possibly with an option year in addition.

“He had a great time there and he’d like very much to have some satisfactory negotiations there,” Atanasio said. “Both sides are working to that end. But there are other clubs that do have an interest.”

Among those is McLemore’s hometown Texas Rangers.

The signing of McLemore, who starred in a versatile role that saw him play three positions on the infield and all three outfield spots, would become even more important if Boone goes elsewhere.

The pursuit of Boone, who had the finest offensive season in the history of American League second basemen, could be a long one.

“I checked with his guy (agent Adam Katz) yesterday, just to check in,” Pelekoudas said. “He’s still feeling around for opportunities and finding out what’s out there. That’s a matter that might take some time.”

The Mariners reportedly have offered Boone a three-year deal, plus an option year, at $23 million. General manager Pat Gillick, who is on vacation this week, said last month that the team will “draw a line in the sand” and not be drawn into a bidding war.

Boone is said to be looking for five years and at least $50 million.

The Mariners, who are expected to make most of their offseason moves via trades, aren’t alone in their inactivity. The free-agent signing period has been open for 11 days and the most significant signing has been relief pitcher Todd Van Poppel to the Texas Rangers.

Pelekoudas isn’t surprised at the stagnant situation.

“Usually it takes a couple of things to happen,” Pelekoudas said. “Usually it takes one of the big boys to fall. Once (Jason) Giambi signs, a lot of pieces will start falling into place. But also, the winter meetings are a little later this year (Dec. 10-14, a week later than usual), and people are kind of gearing up for that. The arbitration offer date (Friday) has a lot to do with it, too.”

Teams have until Friday to offer arbitration to their own free agents. Doing so would enable teams to retain compensation rights to those players, meaning they would receive a draft pick as compensation should a free agent sign with another team.

On the trade front, the Mariners are known to have spoken with the Colorado Rockies about third baseman Jeff Cirillo. The Rockies are looking to purge salary, but Cirillo’s contract (four years remaining at an average of $7.275 million per year) worries the Mariners.

“I have talked with Seattle, but about a number of scenarios,” Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd told The Denver Post this week. “I would not say we’re anywhere close to a deal. In fact, I haven’t talked to them in over a week.”

No deal for Kaz: By this time next year, the Mariners’ free agent talk may focus on relief pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki.

Gillick said last month that he hoped to talk with Sasaki about extending his contract, which expires after the 2002 season. Atanasio, the agent for Sasaki, said nothing has happened and nothing will until next winter, when he will test the open market.

“There’s been minimal talk,” Atanasio said. “He’ll be a free agent at the end of the year. The right deal to sign now is not the right deal at the end of the year.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Balanced scoring attack leads Gonzaga

Zags take over second place in WCC with 88-77 win over USF.

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 caps second-half run, pushes No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

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.