Mariners Face Major Decisions All Over Field

A two-time American League batting champion and three-time designated hitter of the year, Edgar Martinez remains at the top of his game at 36, batting .344 while preparing for a winter of free agency. He is the most immediate of several pivotal decisions affecting the Seattle Mariners’ ownership and their new general manager, be he a warhorse such as Pat Gillick, Bob Watson or Fred Claire, or a younger, untested candidate.

The key issues, of course, are the free agent eligibility of Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez after the 2000 season and how the Mariners deal with it. Both will get record money, and the Mariners insist they are prepared to sign both, but both want to play for a winner, and the question is that of the chicken and the egg.

Griffey and Rodriguez want to see what moves the Mariners make to improve their chances before committing. The club feels it has to sign them first, so that it can attract other quality players. More than money, it could be the major obstacle to a signing. This much is certain:

Griffey, who had 48 homers and 132 runs batted in at the start of the weekend, has had another spectacular season. Rodriguez, perhaps, has been even more spectacular, slugging 41 homers and driving in 108 runs after sitting out six weeks because of a knee injury that required surgery.

“Alex, in my opinion, will be the most valuable free agent athlete in history,” agent Scott Boras said, putting Rodriguez in with Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Joe Montana as the type player who can dramatically impact a franchise’s value.

Boras negotiated the seven-year contract that Kevin Brown signed with the Dodgers for a record average annual value of $15 million, as well as the six-year contract Bernie Williams signed with the New York Yankees for an average of $12.5 million. There is no question, he said, that Rodriguez will emerge as the highest-paid player--no matter when and where he signs.

“Baseball has never had to address what it pays a potential icon who is only 24 or 25 years old,” Boras said.

Most players are in their 30s when they strike a free-agent deal putting them among the highest paid. Center fielder Griffey, in fact, turns 30 Nov. 21.

Shortstop Rodriguez doesn’t turn 25 until next July, plays a premium position and has debuted with the best five offensive years of any player at any position in history.

Can the Mariners afford to commit

$200 million to their two superstars? Do they try to trade one or both before next fall if convinced they can’t be signed?

A unique situation, says Boras, and one rife with land mines for the general manager who replaces Woody Woodward.

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So the Cleveland Indians went 3-7 against the New York Yankees this year, failing to send their possible postseason foe a message, but Manager Mike Hargrove puts it this way: “If I want to send a message to Joe Torre, I’ll write him a letter.”

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The back surgery that interrupted Cal Ripken’s pursuit of 3,000 hits also ended one of his most productive seasons. Despite two stints on the Baltimore Oriole disabled list and constant pain, Ripken, 39, hit a club-high .340 with 18 homers, 57 RBIs and a .581 slugging percentage.

“He’s got another year to play for sure,” Manager Ray Miller said. “The way he’s played this year, he might have another 1,000 hits in him.”

It’s almost certain Miller won’t be there to see it. His 2000 option must be exercised within 72 hours of the Orioles’ final game next Sunday, and it would be a shock if that happened.