M's part company with Baldwin, Creek

Wednesday, October 30, 2002

By DAVID ANDRIESEN
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

The Mariners told James Baldwin late Monday they would not be picking up the $4 million option on his contract, costing the club $500,000 and making Baldwin a free agent.

The right-handed pitcher was 7-10 with a 5.28 earned-run average in 30 appearances last season after Seattle signed him as a free agent.

Baldwin pitched himself out of the starting rotation and out of the Mariners' plans over the second half of the season. In 150 innings, he yielded a .507 slugging percentage, and left-handed batters hit .323 against him.

Also gone is left-handed reliever Doug Creek, who signed a one-year deal with Toronto yesterday. Creek, acquired by the Mariners from Tampa Bay on July 24, had a combined 3-2 record and 5.82 ERA.

Jamie Moyer and John Olerud are the only Mariners to have filed for free agency since filing began on Monday. The other potential free agents -- including catcher Dan Wilson, starting pitcher Paul Abbott and reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa -- have until Nov. 12 to file. Designated hitter Edgar Martinez also will have the option of free agency if, as expected, the Mariners don't pick up his $10 million option for next year.

"We're making progress with a couple of guys," said club vice president Lee Pelekoudas, who is handling free agent negotiations, "but there's (no deal) probably due within the next 24 hours."

NOTES: Closer Kazuhiro Sasaki underwent surgery in Japan yesterday to remove a bone chip from his right elbow. The Mariners are awaiting a complete report from doctors there. . . . The Mariners had been interested in slugging outfielder Cliff Floyd, but after the arrival of Randy Winn from Tampa Bay, general manager Pat Gillick said there is no interest in the free agent. "I don't think Floyd is on our radar screen," he said. "I don't think he figures for us."

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