Thursday, December 16, 1999
Mets give up on Griffey
BY RONALD BLUM
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK — The New York Mets have gotten the message and are pretty much giving up hope of trading for Ken Griffey Jr.
“I think it's likely that it's a dead issue,” Mets general manager Steve Phillips said Wednesday, two days after Griffey rejected a deal that would have sent him to New York.
“I don't have enough level of hope to wait and see if it changes. We put it aside. If it comes back to us, it does. If not, we proceed accordingly.”
New York and Seattle had pretty much settled Monday night on what players would be part of a deal, but before finalizing any package, Phillips wanted Seattle to find out whether Griffey would block it, his right as a 10-and-5 player — 10 years in the majors, including the last five with one team.
“We said we'd like to get a sense of whether it's real or not, and whether he'd consider coming to New York before I go through and say what deal I'm willing to make or not willing to make,” Phillips said. “Is it just one year, rent a player, or was there a possibility of opening the door for the longer term?”
Mariners president Chuck Armstrong called Griffey's agent, Brian Goldberg, who rejected the proposed deal Monday night, saying his client would accept a trade only to Cincinnati, the city he grew up in.
Last month, Griffey told Seattle he wanted to be traded to a team nearer his home in Orlando, Fla. The Mariners, wanting to get something in return rather than have him leave as a free agent next fall, said they would try to work a deal. Griffey told Seattle the Mets were one of the teams he would accept a trade to.
“My sense is that as every person has a right to do, he has changed his mind as to what he's willing to consider. That's OK,” Phillips said. “It could be he didn't want to play in New York or he'd rather play in Cincinnati or Seattle. I'm not sure it was a statement about New York or a statement about what his preference would be.”
On Saturday, the Reds broke off Griffey talks, frustrated Seattle was demanding young second baseman Pokey Reese. Cincinnati says it won't consider trying to acquire Griffey until he becomes a free agent.
New York would have sent the Mariners closer Armando Benitez, outfielder Roger Cedeno and young pitcher Octavio Dotel, according to a person involved in the talks who spoke on the condition he not be identified.
Without mentioning names, Phillips said he now will consider other trades involving the players he would have sent to Seattle.
Phillips also said Benitez had arthroscopic surgery Wednesday on his right knee.
“He had a little discomfort after the season,” Phillips said, adding Benitez should be 100 percent within four weeks.
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