Agent: Garcia probably gone

NEW ORLEANS -- Peter Greenberg, the agent for starting right-hander Freddy Garcia, said yesterday he believes there's a strong likelihood the Mariners will trade his client in the next few days.

"We've talked a little, and they've offered a pay cut," Greenberg said. Garcia made $6.875 million last year in going 12-14 with a 4.51 earned-run average in 33 starts.

"It was a pretty decent pay cut, too. It's clear to me that they aren't interested in doing anything (toward retaining Garcia). I think they want to trade him, but we'll have to wait and see."

The Mariners have shopped the starter around at the winter meetings, including several long discussions with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Other teams have been contacted about their interest in Garcia, the 2001 American League ERA champ.

Although most of the Mariners front office left town late in the day yesterday, key players, especially general manager Bill Bavasi, remained. The Mariners must decide whether to offer a contract to Garcia by Saturday. If they don't -- called "non-tendering" in baseball parlance -- he becomes a free agent and the Mariners lose him without getting anything in return.

"What I'm hearing from other teams is that the Mariners are asking for a lot," Greenberg said. "As it gets closer to the 20th, I'd be surprised if their asking price didn't come down as they try to move him.

"I can't imagine they want to come up to Dec. 20 and non-tender him. This is a guy who has been an All-Star two of the last three years. To me, it's silly to let him go with one year left before free agency."

Management is apparently divided on whether it should let Garcia go for nothing. A consistent compiler of 200 innings a season, Garcia is big and strong and could be entering his prime.

The Mariners could offer him salary arbitration, but the club was burned when they did that last year and Garcia won his $6.875 million request. It seems unlikely Seattle would go that route again.

Greenberg said Garcia pitched most of the season with two burst eardrums, which is why the 6-foot-4 right-handed used earplugs most of the season.

"Is that why he was hot in one month and struggled in another? I don't know," Greenberg said. "But I've got to believe it didn't help. We are all thinking that he will come back strong and have a really big season in 2004.

"He's been reliable and consistent for most of his career when he hasn't had problems with his ears."

History is with Greenberg and Garcia, because players entering free agency for the first time, like Garcia, frequently have career years if they are healthy.

Greenberg said another client, Carlos Guillen, is happy with the $2.5 million contract he signed Sunday, avoiding arbitration.

"It's a very important year for Carlos, and it was vital to him that he got the contract guaranteed," Greenberg said.

"There are no guaranteed contracts in arbitration.

"Carlos is working toward the season right now. He's got a personal trainer, and he's set on coming to spring training in the best shape of his life."

There is still a reasonable chance that Guillen will be traded, although he could start the season at shortstop. The Mariners, who agreed to terms with free agent Scott Spiezio to play third base next year, have been looking to upgrade the left side of the infield.

"It's Carlos' strong preference to play shortstop (opposed to third base)," Greenberg said. "Anything can happen, but he's looking forward to the opportunity to come in as the (starting) shortstop."

P-I reporter John Hickey can be reached at 206-448-8004 or johnhickey@seattlepi.com

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