M’s still interested in trade for Nevin

  • KIRBY ARNOLD / Herald Writer
  • Tuesday, December 5, 2000 9:00pm
  • Sports

By KIRBY ARNOLD

Herald Writer

Their sales pitch is polished, and now the Seattle Mariners are ready to unload their finest persuasive powers.

On Alex Rodriguez?

Well yeah, him too.

That meeting will take place Thursday in Miami, where Mariners executives will make their first big push to retain the free-agent shortstop.

It’s at baseball’s winter meetings, which begin Friday in Dallas, that the Mariners hope to make some serious headway toward plugging the holes that have been obscured by Rodriguez’s considerable shadow.

One guy they’re going after may seem a surprise.

The San Diego Padres’ Phil Nevin apparently is back on the trade radar, one month after a deal fell apart and just a day after Mariners general manager Pat Gillick said the team probably wouldn’t obtain a third baseman.

“We’re still talking to San Diego about a third baseman,” Mariners manager Lou Piniella said Tuesday without naming Nevin specifically. “I’m not sure if anything is going to happen, but we’re still pursuing it.”

Early last month, the Mariners reportedly offered infielder Carlos Guillen and right-handed pitcher Brett Tomko to the Padres for Nevin. The Padres backed off.

If Rodriguez leaves, the M’s would ache for his offensive production. Nevin, who’ll be 30 on opening day, hit .303 with 31 home runs and 107 runs batted in last year. He’ll enter the final year of a contract that paid him $875,000 in 2000.

Such a trade won’t seem so vital if Rodriguez returns to the Mariners. But the M’s still could use offensive punch, plus a more reliable glove at third than what Guillen gave them.

How reliable Nevin can be defensively is uncertain. He made only three errors in 170 chances at third in 1999, but committed 26 errors in 364 chances last season.

“We basically have the same combination there as last year,” Piniella said, referring to David Bell and Guillen. Bell is a sure-hands player at third, short and second, but hit just .247 after a season-long struggle with the bat.

And, Piniella pointed out, the addition of free agent reliever Jeff Nelson gives the Mariners even more to dangle from an already overflowing pool of pitching talent.

“With the signing of Jeff Nelson, it’s going to free a little pitching for us so we can fortify our offense,” Piniella said. “I think we’ll do that in the winter meetings.”

The Mariners also would love to add a left-handed reliever to take the late-inning load off lefty Arthur Rhodes. Rhodes wore out down the stretch when the Mariners turned to him game after game as they battled to make the playoffs, and then against the White Sox and Yankees in the postseason.

“We talked about that long and hard,” Piniella said. “But the only guy we really liked was (Rheal) Cormier and he signed with the Phillies. Unless we trade a right-hander for a left-hander, I don’t see it happening.

“But what happens with Alex will depend on how much offense we need.”

Translated, that means a strong young pitcher like Tomko could be used as trade bait for a potent hitter or a solid left-handed pitcher for the bullpen, depending on the Mariners’ greatest need.

That will be determined by Rodriguez. Piniella is betting, with hardly a hesitation in his voice, that his superstar will return.

“I feel very positive about it,” he said. “Alex likes Seattle and I think the chances are good that he’ll stay.”

Piniella will meet tonight in Miami with Gillick and other front-office executives, then sit down with Rodriguez and agent Scott Boras on Thursday.

“Basically, we will tell him that this organization intends to win, and where is a better situation to play than this,” Piniella said. “Alex has gone out and, rightfully so, talked to other clubs. Now it’s our turn to come to bat.”

Rodriguez’s agent, Scott Boras, said Tuesday that eight teams are in the running for his client’s services, and that five are involved in active negotiations.

In addition to the Mariners, those teams are thought to be the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

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

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Terrace, Monroe girls advance in district hoops tournament.

Kimberly Beard, a Mukilteo resident who attends King's High School, prepares to release a throw during the 20-pound weight competition at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Donna Beard)
Mukilteo’s Kimberly Beard wins throwing event

The King’s High School junior won the 20-pound weight throw at a George Fox indoor meet.

Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), who will be coached by his third offensive line coach in three seasons in 2025, lines up in Seattle's 20-17 win over San Francisco at Levi's Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire shows they’re serious about offensive line

New offensive coordinator bringing in veterans with hopes of improving front.

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

Stanwood High School football coach Jeff Scoma talks with the referees during the 3A quarterfinal game against Odea on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former Stanwood football coach lands new Gig

Jeff Scoma, who resigned midseason in 2024, will coach Gig Harbor H.S. next season.

Mariners among biggest offseason losers

Juan Soto, LA Dodgers are among winners as baseball begins.

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 11

Tulalip Heritage finishes second in district tournament.

Vancouver Giants goalie Burke Hood makes a play for the puck against the Everett Silvertips, who lost 6-2 to the Giants at Langley Events Centre on Saturday, one day after clinching a WHL playoff spot. (Rob Wilton, Giants/Special to Black Press Media).
Tips Week in Review: Everett first in WHL to clinch playoff berth

The Silvertips defeated Kamloops on Friday to secure spot, but lost to Vancouver on Saturday

Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak (left) and head coach Mike Macdonald (right) spoke to the media at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
New Seahawks OC excited to coach Geno Smith

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has “a lot of respect” for Seahawks QB.

Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett (16) runs with after a catch against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Tyler Lockett’s future with Seahawks remains unclear

Seattle coach Mike Macdonald noncommittal 1 month before a possible decision point.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
O’Neil: The Seahawks will keep Geno Smith

The reasons for the Seahawks quarterback sticking around are simple and obvious.

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.