Monday, December 20, 2004
Next Up: Odalis Perez
News from this morning's Washington Times indicates that the Mariners may be leading the pack in the bidding for pitcher Odalis Perez with a 3-year, $18 million contract on the table. It appears that Mr. Bavasi may have one more surprise for the stockings of Mariner fans in this wonderful holiday season.
Tonight at midnight is the non-tender deadline, so we may see a number of players come available. One player that most Mariner fans would love to see come available is, of course, Willie Bloomquist. One who will not become available is Ron Villone, who accepted arbitration, and will be back in the Mariners bullpen in 2005.
[Washington Nationals GM Jim] Bowden still would love to sign free-agent left-hander Odalis Perez, who yesterday rejected an arbitration offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers, but until baseball gives him the green light to resume full operations, the GM is hamstrung.If the Mariners sign Odalis Perez, then it is likely that Ryan Franklin gets sent to the pen or is traded.
Baseball sources said Perez, who went 7-6 with a 3.25 ERA in 31 starts last year, would prefer to sign with Washington and even would be willing to take less money to come here. But with the ballpark debate dragging on, Perez may have no choice but to sign with another team. The Seattle Mariners are believed to have offered him a better deal than the Nationals' proposed, three-year, $18 million contract.
Tonight at midnight is the non-tender deadline, so we may see a number of players come available. One player that most Mariner fans would love to see come available is, of course, Willie Bloomquist. One who will not become available is Ron Villone, who accepted arbitration, and will be back in the Mariners bullpen in 2005.
