By Larry LaRue
The News Tribune
BOSTON – It wasn’t the highest-profile trade of the day and it wasn’t even a deal in which the Seattle Mariners filled one of the holes they say they must fill.
So why were general manager Pat Gillick and manager Lou Piniella beaming Tuesday at the winter meetings.
“When you get the chance to grab a good young catcher, you can’t pass it,” Gillick said. “And in Ben Davis, we got a good young catcher who can be part of this franchise for years to come.”
Seattle got Davis, 24, veteran utility infielder Alex Arias, 33, and 23-year-old right-handed pitcher Wascar Serrano from San Diego in exchange for pitcher Brett Tomko, catcher Tom Lampkin and infielder Ramon Vazquez.
“We’re not done,” Piniella insisted, “but we’ve picked up a switch-hitting catcher with some power, an experienced utilityman who can play anywhere in the infield and a relief pitcher that gives our bullpen more depth. That’s a start.”
On the day the Cleveland Indians stole the thunder in the winter meetings – shipping second baseman Roberto Alomar to the New York Mets in an eight-player deal – the Mariners are convinced they’ve found the man who will eventually replace catcher Dan Wilson.
“Danny has one year left on his contract, and we think we can bring Davis along this year, let him adjust to our staff, our league, our team,” Gillick said. “Our own best catching prospect (Ryan Christianson) is probably two years away.”
No, the Mariners didn’t fill their vacancies in left field or third base or second base – but Gillick and Piniella were concerned beyond the 2002 season and the ages of their veteran players.
Wilson, 32, and Lampkin, 37, were the catchers Seattle had to begin the new year with. And much as they liked Vazquez, the thought of bringing a veteran infielder to the club was an attractive one.
“It’s one of those deals that should help both teams,” San Diego GM Kevin Towers said. “Ben is a good young catcher who’s going to get better, and we had the luxury of having two good young catchers.”
The second pick in the 1995 draft, Davis has played 258 games and compiled a .238 batting average with 19 home runs and 101 RBI in 845 at-bats.
What he’s known for thus far in his career is the bunt single he laid down last season to break up a no-hit bid by Arizona’s Curt Schilling.
While the Mariners were delighted with the deal, which also sent $1 million to the cash-strapped Padres, the happiest fellow on Tuesday may have been Tomko.
“I live 12 miles from the ballpark here in San Diego,” Tomko said. “When I got the call, I ran upstairs and told my brother, then I told my dad, then I called my mother – and then I drove to the In-and-Out Burger and ordered a double-double.
“My family may be happier than I am. It’s a chance to watch me play again. I loved Seattle, the fans and the team. I learned a lot this last year pitching in Tacoma. Professionally, this is the chance to be a starting pitcher again, to contribute big-time to a major league team.”
Obtained in the Ken Griffey Jr. trade two years ago, Tomko never spent a full season in Seattle, going 3-1 last year with a 5.19 earned run average.
Lampkin, a left-handed hitter who had a solid 2000 season, struggled last year (.225). His departure continued what likely will become a major makeover for the roster of a team that won 116 games last year.
“I don’t think this deal prevents us from doing anything else we have in mind,” Gillick said. “We still need players, we’re still talking to teams and to players agents.
“This was something that came up late last week, that we talked about this week and simply couldn’t pass up. It’s tough to find good, young catchers, and Ben is one of the best.”
On the other player fronts:
Bret Boone: Seattle continued talks with Adam Katz, agent for Boone. The team has offered a fourth season for Boone should he play 150 games in the third year of the contract, and Boone may be listening. Among the reasons: He doesn’t have a solid offer from any other team.
Jeff Cirillo: If the Mariners still want the Colorado third baseman, they’ll have to rework their offer. The Rockies wanted Vazquez and Seattle had included Tomko in their original offer to Colorado.
Scott Rolen: The Phillies and Mariners talked again about third baseman Rolen, and Philadelphia manager Larry Bowa said it was Seattle that walked away from the session.
“We’re ready to deal,” Bowa said. “They’re a little less certain.”
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