Mariners Deal Mateo to Phillies

Club shies away from major changes at trading deadline.

Photo courtesy: MLB.com

SEATTLE - Minutes before the non-waiver trading deadline on Tuesday, the Mariners acquired Minor League shortstop Jesus Merchan from the Phillies for veteran right-handed reliever Julio Mateo.

Merchan, who was batting .330 with 16 doubles, seven home runs and 44 RBIs for Double-A Reading, will report to Double-A West Tennessee.

The trade gives Mateo a chance to resurrect his Major League career, which came to a halt last May 3 in a New York hotel when he reportedly injured his wife during a domestic dispute.

He initially was suspended, without pay, for not showing up for the game that night against the Yankees.

Mateo subsequently underwent counseling, was reinstated and sent to Triple-A Tacoma, where he compiled a 3-1 record, 0.79 ERA and 12 saves in 24 appearances. Off the field, he is scheduled to make a court appearance in New York in September.

"In discussions with Julio Mateo and his agent, we agreed that Julio would be best suited returning to the Majors in a different city," general manager Bill Bavasi said in a statement released by the club. "We had been looking for that opportunity for a while now and were able to accomplish it today."

For the time being, status remains quo with the Mariners.

A playoff-aspiring organization that may already have the parts needed to compete for a division title -- or the American League Wild Card -- pulled back from any potential major deals on Tuesday, leaving the same 25 players that played the opener of a three-game AL West showdown series against the Angels on Monday night available for the second game of the series at Safeco Field.

The Mariners were looking to upgrade the tail end of the bullpen, but struck out in their efforts to land right-hander Octavio Dotel from the Royals. Dotel was dealt to the Braves in a deal consummated about an hour before the 1 p.m. PT deadline.

There also had been published reports that Bavasi had his sights set on Devil Rays reliever Al Reyes, a 37-year-old journeyman who conceivably could solidify the bridge to closer J.J. Putz.

But with rookie right-hander Brandon Morrow commanding the strike zone much better in his past five outings, sidekicks Sean Green, Mark Lowe, and left-hander George Sherrill already on board, the front office that decided that adding another arm -- at the expense of losing a top prospect -- might not be such a good idea.

Seattle, which entered Tuesday night's game at Safeco three games behind the Angels, was thought to also have considered acquiring right-handed starter Matt Morris from the Giants, but a deal never panned out and Morris was eventually dealt to Pittsburgh.

Not making a significant deal before the deadline should not adversely affect the mood of the current players.

Veteran left fielder Raul Ibanez said several days ago that he felt the parts were already in place for the Mariners to contend for a postseason spot.

Manager John McLaren agreed with that assessment prior to Monday night's game.

"In some of the past years here, we needed to upgrade our offense, or we were really short on pitching, and we needed major trades," he said. "When we didn't make those major trades, there's a letdown in that clubhouse.

"I don't see that here, because we have a good team in place. We have good chemistry. If it's an upgrade that makes sense, I think they'll accept it. And if we don't make it, I think [the players] understand we have a good team in place here, and we just couldn't make a deal."

McLaren added, "There are some guys [in the Minor Leagues] we think a lot of and I don't think a rent-a-player is a good idea. We're not going to give up an Adam Jones for a rent-a-player."

They didn't, and Jones remains in Triple-A Tacoma. But for how long is the big question.

The former No. 1 Draft choice celebrates his 23rd birthday on Wednesday, and there is a feeling in the clubhouse that he might soon be joining the Mariners.

With the non-waiver trade deadline passing without any major moves, veteran first baseman/outfielder Ben Broussard enters August at the same address.

He was quietly hoping something would happen to give him more playing time, either in Seattle or elsewhere.

"I know I'm ready to play every day for somebody," he said. "I have talked to Bill and Mac and they know how I feel. I have gone in several times and talked to them, but I'm the property of the Mariners until after next year, and I have to be prepared to be here.

"I won't cause a big scene about it, but they know my desire to play. They also know that when I'm on the field, I'm focused on winning the game."

Broussard, acquired in a trade with the Indians last July 26 for outfielder Shin-Choo Shin and player to be named (Shawn Nottingham), has started 10 games at first base, eight in left field, 10 in right field and one at designated hitter.

He is batting .287 (39-for-136) with six home runs and 22 RBIs.

Story by: Jim Street

Courtesy: MLB.com

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