Mariners Notebook: Giles rumors galore

Broadcast reports out of Pittsburgh yesterday, including statements from the Pirates' team-employed broadcasters during a game telecast, indicated the Pirates outfielder had used his no-trade clause to veto deals to Seattle and Oakland, though it doesn't appear a deal with the Mariners was seriously discussed.

Giles, 32, a left-handed hitter with a career .303 batting average, is on the trading block as the Pirates attempt to dump salary. He's signed through 2005 at about $9 million a year.

Complicating matters is Pittsburgh's insistence that whoever gets Giles also must take on catcher Jason Kendall and his burdensome contract, which runs through 2007. The Pirates reportedly are prepared to eat some of this year's $8 million salary to move him, but Kendall is owed $42 million in the next four years.

Though both players could improve Seattle offensively, trading for Giles and Kendall would be notably out of step with the Mariners' way of doing business. General manager Pat Gillick, who eschews long-term, big-money deals, said through a spokesman he "will neither confirm nor deny rumors involving names of players."

One well-placed Mariners source said preliminary discussions were held between the Mariners and Pirates regarding Giles, but the talks never advanced to the point where an official deal would have been taken to Giles. The source also said no discussion took place of what players Seattle would send to Pittsburgh.

Giles' agent, Joe Bick, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review yesterday that Giles was never asked to approve or veto a trade to Seattle or Oakland. The outfielder's contract allows him to refuse a trade to any team except Los Angeles, San Diego, Arizona, San Francisco, Colorado or Atlanta. Giles has expressed a strong preference for staying in the National League and has said he wants to play with his brother Marcus, who plays second base for the Braves.

With baseball's non-waiver trading deadline a week away, these don't figure to be the last of the rumors about the Mariners' attempts to improve. Manager Bob Melvin, while not addressing the Giles story directly, said he's open to ideas.

"We talk about things all the time, and it has to be the right fit," Melvin said. "If something comes up and we think it's the right fit, we'll take a look at it. My concern is with the group we have here now, and I feel good about the group we have here now."

ON THE MEND: Fueling speculation that some sort of roster move was impending yesterday was the fact the Mariners lineup was not posted until 5:45, about three hours later than usual.

Given the injury-riddled lineup, it was thought the Mariners might bring in a minor-league player to help them through. But there was good news on all health fronts yesterday, and Seattle kept its roster intact.

Shortstop Carlos Guillen, who had missed six games with a strained groin, was Seattle's designated hitter last night and is expected back on defense today.

Designated hitter Edgar Martinez, hobbled by a tight left calf, could be back tonight.

"Edgar's doing much better than I thought he would be today," Melvin said. "We could use him to pinch hit tonight if we needed to. If it improves as much between today and tomorrow as it did between yesterday and today, I'd say there's a good chance he'll be playing tomorrow."

Things also are looking up for closer Kazuhiro Sasaki, who had an impressive throwing session in Minnesota on Tuesday and will throw in either an extended bullpen session or a simulated game today.

"I feel physically good, strong, and I'm throwing extremely well," Sasaki said. "It's definitely encouraging. It's a matter of whether I can throw in a game. As it is, it feels healed, but we'll see how it feels and if I can throw in a game situation. I feel there will definitely be no more setbacks."

If things go well today, Sasaki could go out for a rehabilitation assignment of as few as two games.

"I won't put an exact date on it, but maybe the first (of August) or shortly thereafter," Melvin said. "He'll be fresh for the back end of the season. That's the silver lining for us is that he'll have a fresh arm where usually by now a closer has been worn out."

BLACK HOLE: Yet another attempt to reduce evening glare from the batter's eye in center field was enacted while the team was gone, the wall painted a dark black and covered with a honeycomb-shaped pattern to absorb light.

When the game began, only one team had experience hitting against the backdrop: the visiting A's. The Mariners, who arrived from Minnesota at 1:30 a.m. yesterday, didn't have batting practice.

"From what I've heard from people who have been around here at the 7 o'clock hour, it's 40 to 60 percent better," Melvin said. "We appreciate the front office going to the lengths that they have to try to improve it. If it is that much better, it'll be great."

NOTES: Guillen was 0-for-7 in his career as a designated hitter entering last night, but Seattle led the AL in average (.297), homers (19) and RBIs (71) from the designated hitter spot. ... Tickets remain for the rest of the homestand, though not many for this weekend's games against Texas. ... On the just-completed 2-4 road trip to Kansas City and Minnesota, the Mariners batted .232 and had a 6.14 ERA.

P-I reporter David Andriesen can be reached at 206-448-8061 or davidandriesen@seattlepi.com P-I reporter John Hickey contributed to this report

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