Morris among Mariners' options

12/01/2005
SEATTLE -- The Mariners are one of a dozen Major League organizations that have expressed an interest in free-agent right-hander Matt Morris, but the club hasn't made an offer to the 31-year-old starting pitcher who has spent his entire career with the Cardinals.
Morris is among a small group of quality starting pitchers available through free agency this offseason and the Mariners are hopeful of signing a top-of-the-rotation starter.
"It's hard to quantify their interest," Morris' agent, Barry Axelrod, said on Thursday. "We haven't received an offer, and I sense that the Mariners are a team that keeps a lot of options open. But I expect to hear from before the Winter Meetings."
Morris has a 101-62 record and 3.61 ERA in eight Major League seasons. He was 14-10 with a 4.11 ERA in 2005, winning his first eight decisions for the National League Central Division champions. Morris stumbled after the All-Star break, going 4-8 with a 5.32 ERA.
But with the scarcity of quality starting pitchers on the market capable of logging at least 190 innings a season -- something Morris has done six times in his career -- his resume stacks up well with others in the same boat.
Right-hander A.J. Burnett is regarded as the best pitcher available, followed in no particular order by Morris, right-handers Kevin Millwood, Paul Byrd and Jeff Weaver and left-handers Jarrod Washburn and Kenny Rogers.
Seattle is still negotiating with lefty Jamie Moyer, the Mariners' all-time leader in wins.
Axelrod said he has no specific plans to meet with Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi during the annual Winter Meetings next Monday through Thursday in Dallas. But that could change at a moment's notice.
The agent said his client isn't in a hurry to sign and has no plans to visit the cities of teams that are interested in him.
"He is probably the most relaxed, laid-back free agent I've ever had," Alexrod said. "When it gets to the point that it becomes very serious, we might visit [interested clubs] to get to know the people. But you won't be seeing us on a world tour."
With four or five organizations actively pursuing Burnett, the ones that don't sign him figure to become heavily involved in other starting pitchers -- like Morris.
Axelrod said he has been pleased with the way the market is sorting itself out so far.
"This isn't being viewed as a strong class, but they are getting paid well," he said. "From the players' side, I don't think there has been a bad signing yet."
Since teams were allowed to start signing free agents from other organizations, some whoppers have occurred. Paul Konerko returned to the White Sox, signing a five-year, $60 million contract, left-handed closer B.J. Ryan received a five-year, $47 million deal with the Blue Jays, lefty closer Billy Wagner landed a four-year, $43 million contract from the Mets and the Cubs signed two relievers -- Scott Eyre and Bobby Howry -- for a total of $23 million over three years.
Right-hander Estaban Loiaza is the only free-agent starting pitcher that has signed. He accepted a three-year, $21.3 million offer from the Athletics.
The high salary numbers apparently don't scare Bavasi, who told the Seattle Times, "Last year, there was risk and the market turned real bad. But our ownership was committed enough to shrug and say 'that's the market we're playing in, and we have to get better.' I don't think anything has changed. We'll compete in any market that is out and there and do our best."
The Mariners used the Winter Meetings last year to secure the services of first baseman Richie Sexson (four years, $50 million) and third baseman Adrian Beltre (five years, $64 million) -- the largest free-agent spending spree in franchise history.
So far this offseason, the Mariners have signed free-agent catcher Kenji Johjima from Japan (three years, $16.5 million) and exercised the option year of closer Eddie Guardado's contract for $6.25 million.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/