There was an implication the Seattle Mariners might pursue free agent slugger Prince Fielder when general manager Jack Zduriencik spoke to the media Tuesday.
He just couldn’t bring himself to actually say it.
Heading into the winter meetings next week in Dallas, Zudurienck said he hoped to complement a young Seattle team with a bit more experience this offseason – and add a bat, if possible.
When Fielder’s name came up, the conversation turned intentionally vague.
“The years of the contract are factors, the dollars are a factor and where you stand as a club is a factor,” Zduriencik said.
What about his personal relationship with Fielder, a player he’s known since Fielder’s high school days?
“These things come down to what the best opportunity is for the player,” Zduriencik said. “It’s nice to have a relationship, and that might open the door. But we’re all adults – when a player earns free agency, that relationship probably becomes secondary.”
Zduriencik was asked if he viewed the Mariners differently today than a year ago, when he went to the winter meetings knowing 2011 was going to be a season of evaluation in Seattle.
“We’re still going to be young. We had 18 rookies on the roster at some point last year,” Zduriencik said. “We have to wait for some kids who are right around the corner.
“That said, we’d love to add a left-handed arm to the bullpen, a backup shortstop behind Brendan Ryan, and we could use a bat – no doubt – and another starting pitcher.”
As much as anything, the team needs ‘bounce back’ seasons from center fielder Franklin Gutierrez, first baseman Justin Smoak, Ryan and outfielder Casper Wells, all of whom battled injuries in 2011, Zduriencik said.
The Mariners head to the winter meetings without an offer on the table to any free agent but with plans to continue conversations with their representatives in Dallas.
As free agents sign – in Seattle or elsewhere – Zduriencik said the trade market figures to open up.
“You still have general managers looking at free agents, and everyone is gauging where they’re going,” he said. “But it’s like the deal we made Sunday (Josh Lueke for catcher John Jaso), there’s always the possibility the next phone call prompts something to happen.”
VALENTINE TO BOSTON
The Boston Red Sox have picked Bobby Valentine to be their next manager and the sides were working to complete a contract, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press late Tuesday night.
Valentine was in Japan this week, where he managed from 2004-09, and said he was about to take off on a flight when he sent the AP a text message at 9:48 p.m. saying he had no comment on “the Red Sox situation.”
BROTHERS MADDUX
Greg Maddux is leaving the Cubs to join the Rangers, reuniting him with his brother Mike.
The Rangers said Greg will become a special assistant to the general manager, the same role he held with the Cubs the past two seasons.
When asked what drew him to the Rangers, he responded: “Probably the majority of it was my brother.”
Mike Maddux has been the Rangers’ pitching coach for the last three seasons.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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