Trade reaction: Players enthused, Cedeno shocked
Published 2:27 pm Wednesday, July 29, 2009
It was hard to find anyone in the Mariners’ clubhouse this morning who didn’t like the trade to bring shortstop Jack Wilson to Seattle. Unless, of course, your name is Ronny Cedeno.
Cedeno said he’d found a home with the Mariners like no other team he’s played with in his career, and now he faces two months of “turning the page.” He called the trade the biggest shock of his pro career.
“I’m in shock,” Cedeno said. “I was on a very good team here and I was happy. We had everything here, coaches, manager, GM. Everybody was a great teammate.
I’m sad. I wanted to be here all yehar. It’s hard for me. I’ve got two months left and now I’ve got to turn the page.”
Overall, the Mariners were more than mildly enthused by the trade, especially because of the signal sent by the front office that nobody has given up on this season.
“It shows that Zduriencik and upper management, they still feel that we’re right in the middle of this thing, that it just takes a little bit of luck to go our way and we’re right there,” closer David Aardsma said. “We feel the same way. It was just four bad games. We’ve lost more in a row and thankfully that was when the Angels decided to actually lose a couple of games.”
Catcher Rob Johnson said he feels invigorated that management made a move to improve the big-league roster and not just to add for the future.
“Let’s win. Let’s get this done,” Johnson said. “We’re 7½ games back. It sounds like a lot, but with more than two months left it’s not all that much. It’s been weird. A week ago we were talking about getting guys. Then we had a little four-game skid and we’re talking about selling guys. Then all the rumors. And now, bam, we’re going ouot and getting some guys. It makes me want to go out there and continue to give everything I’ve got. Not that I wouldn’t anyway, but it gives you a little bit of spark.”
DH Mike Sweeney, while enthused at getting Wilson, couldn’t help but feel badly for Cedeno, who was taking the trade hard.
“There’s a personal side and there’s a professional side. The personal side is that it hurts to look into the teary eyes of Ronny Cedeno as he leaves. But from the professional side, it definitely makes sense. Jack Wilson is a proven All-Star and he adds some stability up the middle. Ian Snell, after watching him in the WBC, he’s a guy who could make a good 1-2 tandem for the future of this organization with he and (Felix Hernandez).”
