The Associated Press
Veteran James Baldwin hopes to be at full strength when he joins the Mariners' rotation this season.

M's ink vet Baldwin

Pitcher should provide solid arm in Seattle rotation

JIM COUR, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SEATTLE -- James Baldwin will feel like he's a No. 1 starter whenever he pitches for the Seattle Mariners.

Short a veteran starting pitcher, the Mariners finalized a $1.25 million, one-year contract with Baldwin on Wednesday.

Baldwin, 30, split last season between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers, going 10-11.

"My mindset is every day I get the ball, to be honest with you, I'm thinking I'm the No. 1 starter," Baldwin said. "That's where it's going to be from my perspective."

Coming off rotator cuff surgery on his right shoulder, Baldwin went 7-5 with a 4.61 ERA for the White Sox last season, then was dealt to Los Angeles and went 3-6 with a 4.20 ERA. He combined to pitch 175 innings.

"He probably hasn't been sound the last two years completely," general manager Pat Gillick said. "I think he'll pitch 200 innings this year so that's going to be a plus for our ballclub."

Baldwin said his velocity was close to what it was before he injured his rotator cuff.

"I would hope so," he said. "I haven't been really letting it go, but I have been throwing off the mound and it feels real good. As of right now, it feels like my velocity is going to be back."

Baldwin is expected to join a starting rotation in Seattle as the No. 4 starter behind Freddy Garcia, Jamie Moyer and Paul Abbott.

His addition probably means that Joel Pineiro will be used in the bullpen by the Mariners. Left-hander John Halama will probably become the Mariners' fifth starter.

Garcia (18-6), Moyer (20-6), Abbott (17-4) and Halama (10-7) were a combined 65-27 last season.

Seattle decided against re-signing Aaron Sele, who was 15-5 last season and 32-15 during two years in Seattle. Sele pitched more than 200 innings in each of his two seasons with the Mariners.

"I think we picked up a good bargain right here," Gillick said. "It usually takes a year to come back from these sort of injuries that he's had. So consequently he should be stronger in 2002 than he was last season."

Baldwin took a physical with the Mariners on Monday and attended Tuesday night's NBA game between the Seattle SuperSonics and the Portland Trail Blazers with new teammates Mike Cameron and Bret Boone. Cameron and Baldwin, who are best friends, played on the White Sox.

"We feel very, very secure about the examination he had," Gillick said.

Baldwin was the winning pitcher at the 2000 All-Star game and went 14-7 for the Chicago White Sox that season after a 7-0 start.

He underwent surgery on his pitching shoulder after the 2000 season.

Baldwin said he hoped it works out where he can finish his career in Seattle. He said he especially looks forward to pitching at Safeco Field, which is a pitcher's ballpark. Mainly, he said he was relieved to have signed a contract with spring training about two weeks away.

"It's over," he said. "I've got a job."

Gillick said the Mariners aren't expected to make any more moves before they go to spring training on Feb. 14. They're close to their $87.5 million budget, he said.

"We're about where we want to be," Gillick said.

To make room for Baldwin on their 40-man roster, the Mariners designated left-hander Norm Charlton for assignment.

Charlton, 39, a key member of Seattle's bullpen last season when the Mariners set an AL record with 116 victories, has been lost for the season because of a torn rotator cuff and labrum. He had surgery this week.

M's spring training

- Feb 14: Pitchers and catchers report.

- Feb. 16: Position players report.

- Feb. 28: Charity game vs. San Diego.

For related stories go to the Local Sports section.

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