M's on solid ground as deadline nears

ELLIOTT SMITH, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published July 29

SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners are 46 games over .500, 20 games ahead of their nearest competitor and the still haven't lost three consecutive games all season.

Still, some people aren't satisfied.

As the July 31 trade deadline approaches, the Mariners' names have come up in several trade possibilities.

Will Seattle deal with the sinking Blue Jays, potentially bringing back former Mariner Jose Cruz Jr.?

Or will the Mariners look to land talented, but erratic Detroit outfielder Juan Encarnacion?

Those are just a couple of potential moves that have been rumored throughout baseball, on talk radio and in the clubhouse.

But is the talk really necessary?

After all, it would be tough to better what the Mariners have already accomplished so far this season.

It almost seems insulting to think adding another player would help Seattle's magical season.

"It goes on every year," Seattle first baseman John Olerud said. "Everyone gets to have a little fun playing GM. You always have people saying they have an idea about this person or this deal. It's part of baseball."

And while from Day 1, everyone -- including Seattle GM Pat Gillick -- expressed the desire to add another bat to the Mariners lineup, winning at a .700 clip and boasting one of the league's most productive offenses has made that idea less of a necessity.

"We're in good shape," Olerud said. "Everything has been going well, everyone has been real solid and everyone has stayed healthy. There's not a real need for anyone."

But that hasn't prevented Gillick from exploring his options, which is fine with manager Lou Piniella.

"Pat does his homework," he said. "He said if he could improve the club, he would. That's fine from my standpoint."

Piniella also stressed that his team shouldn't worry about rumors and speculation.

"It's out of their control," he said. "If they're not mentioned (in a trade) they shouldn't concern themselves with it."

But there are several players with the club whose names have been bandied about, including Al Martin, John Halama and Joel Pineiro, who was impressive Thursday under the watchful eye of GMs hoping Seattle would part with the young pitcher.

Pineiro said he wasn't looking at his performance as a potential "audition."

"I don't want to think about that stuff," he said. "When I'm out there, I let my pitching do the talking for me. That's all I worry about."

One of the biggest keys for Seattle this season has been chemistry. The Mariners clubhouse is one of the loosest in the league with no cliques or jealousies that can tear a team apart.

Adding an unknown into the environment could be problematic, although Olerud said that likely wouldn't happen.

"You never know, but I don't think one bad guy out of 25 would do any harm," he said. "But we all do have a real good relationship here and we would hate to see anyone go."

With the days dwindling, the Mariners will have to make a decision that will have repercussions down the line.

Make a trade and risk upsetting the balance that has made them the majors' best? Or stand pat and face the danger of running into a loaded opponent come playoff time?

For the Mariners, the answer is easy.

"We heard this last year and it doesn't bother us," Seattle pitcher Paul Abbott said. "I just think our record speaks for itself."

Elliott Smith covers the Mariners for The Olympian. He can be reached at 754-5473 or esmith@olympia.gannett.com.

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