First baseman foremost among Mariners' pursuits

They released John Olerud midseason, then made do the rest of the way with what they had. Heading into 2005, however, they want a solid option at a position traditionally counted on to contribute much offensively.

It's not inconceivable that a 2004 Mariner will be manning first on Opening Day. Bucky Jacobsen will have a healthy knee, but while he will surely see some time at first, he's better suited at designated hitter. Outfielder Raul Ibanez appeared in 10 games at first late in the season, and he's an option there should the Mariners sign or trade for outfielders.

More likely is a new face at first.

The two top-tier free agents are Carlos Delgado and Richie Sexson, and the Mariners are thought to be after both. Contrary to recent reports, however, the twin pursuits are about keeping options open and will almost certainly not lead to acquiring both players.

Delgado, a 32-year-old who has spent his entire career with Toronto, and Sexson, a 29-year-old coming off an injury-marred one-year stint in Arizona, both are big men who have home run power the Mariners desperately lack.

Both also come with question marks.

Sexson played in just 23 games last season, brought down by a partial tear in the labrum of his left shoulder that required surgical repair. He claims to be 100 percent, but it's an injury that can recur for hitters and will give suitors pause.

When healthy, the native of Brush Prairie is a marvelous hitter, with a 6-foot-8 frame that can cover the whole plate. His long, easy swing is productive to all fields. A right-hander, Safeco Field would subtract from his power and could be a barrier to attracting him despite his Northwest ties.

Sexson has reportedly come out asking for the moon -- the Diamondbacks pitched him a three-year, $30 million deal that apparently isn't going to get it done. Given the injury red flag, he might have to either lower his sights a notch or sign a one-year deal, prove he's healthy and effective, and break the bank a year from now. If he does get a three-year deal, it's likely to be heavily incentive-laden, as Arizona's offer reportedly was. Half a dozen teams have been rumored to be interested in him.

Delgado's best years are almost certainly behind him, but anyone who's seen him play at Safeco has to be intrigued. He has a 1.254 OPS (on-base plus slugging) at Safeco in the past three years, with the left-handed power swing that suits the ballpark. The Mariners haven't had that threat in the lineup since the departure of Ken Griffey Jr.

Delgado is coming off his least productive season in years and played in just 128 games, primarily because of a strained rib cage.

One possible hitch for the public relations-minded Mariners is Delgado's quiet refusal to stand for for "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch, a quiet protest against the war in Iraq that has rubbed many wrong (Editor's Note: The original version of this story misidentified the nature of Delgado's protest.).

Delgado's agent hasn't disclosed how many years he will seek, but the Mariners won't want to go too long given his age and potential decline. The Yankees and Orioles also have interest in Delgado.

Given the markets for both Delgado and Sexson, the Mariners are probably hedging their bets by making offers to both. Were they to actually land both, they could use Sexson in left field, where he spent time early in his career. That would have some downside, however.

It would force a trade of an existing starting outfielder, presumably Randy Winn. While Winn isn't flashy and was out of position in center last year, he has been productive -- third on the team in batting last season and second in 2003.

Neither Sexson nor Ibanez can play center field, which means Ichiro Suzuki would have to move from right, something he strongly opposes. And acquiring both Delgado and Sexson would probably take playing time from Jacobsen, who has 40-homer potential and makes the major league minimum.

ON TOUR: Coming soon to a city near you: Carlapalooza.

Free agent pitcher Carl Pavano and agent Scott Shapiro today leave Miami, where Pavano was an 18-game winner with the Marlins last season, for a five-city tour of potential American League suitors. First up is Detroit, followed by New York, Baltimore, Seattle -- probably Tuesday -- and Anaheim. Pavano already has visited Boston.

The Mariners are looking for a starter, but Pavano probably isn't reasonable given their presumed outlay for offense. He reportedly turned up his nose at a three-year, $21 million offer from the Marlins.

Whatever his decision, Pavano will have done his homework. In each city, he is looking to meet with front office officials, pitching coaches and training staff, and is touring all training facilities.

"Carl doesn't want to look back later and say, 'I wish we'd gone the extra mile and met with this team or asked these questions,' " Shapiro said. "It's an overwhelming amount of information, but he wants to make the right decision."

ROHN TO RETURN: Dan Rohn will return for his fifth season as manager of the Tacoma Rainiers, the Mariners announced.

Last season, Rohn won the manager of the year award for the Class AAA Pacific Coast League for the second time after guiding Tacoma to a 79-63 record.

Rohn, 48, has managed in the Mariners' system for eight years.

The 24th manager in Tacoma history, Rohn is second in victories (195) to Dave Myers (367).

JAPAN SCOUT: The Mariners have long been at the forefront of Japanese scouting, and now they have their first full-time scout committed to the country.

Yasushi Yamamoto, who worked for 10 years with the Kintetsu Buffaloes of Japan's Pacific League, will start in January scouting professional and amateur players in Japan.

FIRST PRIZES

Carlos Delgado

First baseman

B/T: Left/Right

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-3, 220

AGE: 32

2004 TEAM, SALARY: Toronto, $19.7 million

2004 STATS: .269 BA, .907 OPS, 99 RBIs, 32 HR

CAREER AVERAGES (per 162 games): .282 BA, .948 OPS, 120 RBIs, 38 HR

SCOUTING REPORT: Offensively, Delgado fits nicely with the Mariners' needs. He has left-handed power tailor-made for Safeco Field (where he's batted .320 over the past three years) and is a disciplined hitter, averaging more than 100 walks when healthy.

He gets many of his homers to both power alleys, which means Safeco would cost him a few but he'd hit a lot of doubles. His clutch numbers were down last year, but overall he's been best with runners on base.

Defensively, Delgado is decent for a big man but not stellar.

Delgado had been extremely durable until 2004, when he played just 128 games, his fewest since becoming a regular player in 1996. He had a rib cage injury, and the legs of the former catching prospect bear watching.

NOTABLE: He's seventh among active players in being hit by pitch, which would please new hitting coach Don Baylor, the all-time HBP king.

BOTTOM LINE: Delgado will take a step down in salary, but how low will he be willing to go? There are a lot of attractive things about him, but he can't realistically be expected to match his career numbers again. A contract beyond two years is risky unless the Mariners see him as their long-term designated hitter.

RICHIE SEXSON

First baseman

B/T: Right/Right

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-8, 237

AGE: 29

2004 TEAM, SALARY: Arizona, $8.725 million

2004 STATS: .233 BA, .915 OPS, 23 RBIs, 9 HR (23 games played)

CAREER AVERAGES (per 162 games): .271 BA, .877 OPS, 119 RBIs, 39 HR

SCOUTING REPORT: Sexson's extraordinary size gives him extraordinary plate coverage, and he's tough to pitch around. You don't want to work him away and let him extend his arms, but he covers the inside of the plate well.

He had a huge uptick in walks in 2003, his last full season, but continues to strike out a lot. The man likes to swing the bat.

Sexson is an above-average defensive first baseman, his big frame enabling him to pick the ball like John Olerud. He also has a strong arm. There would be concerns about his speed as an outfielder.

The big question for Sexson is his surgically repaired left shoulder, which cost him most of last season. He's back in shape, but the same injury has wrecked many hitters.

NOTABLE: Among the players most statistically similar to Sexson at his age: Carlos Delgado.

BOTTOM LINE: Bill Bavasi would surely love to have a crystal ball on this one. Sexson's upside is enormous if he's healthy, but if he fails to return to form or is reinjured, a multiyear deal could turn into an albatross.

-- David Andriesen

P-I reporter David Andriesen can be reached at 206-448-8061 or davidandriesen@seattlepi.com

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