Saturday, September 30, 2006

Mariners Notebook: Matthews a fine fit for Safeco
Rangers outfielder entering free agency off All-Star season

By GARY WASHBURN
P-I REPORTER

Years as a once top prospect-turned-journeyman has Gary Matthews Jr.
rather mellow about his impending free agency.

The Texas Rangers center fielder will be on the open market 15 days
after the World Series unless he decides to re-sign with his current
club, meaning he could become a Mariners' target.

Matthews did not want to discuss his specific interest in Seattle, but
said he does enjoy playing at Safeco Field, where he was a career .325
hitter entering Friday. Offensively, he has shortened his once looping
swing and is seven hits shy of 200.

The Mariners are expected to pursue another corner outfielder, and
Matthews has the athleticism and defensive prowess to play center or
right field.

"I like the city here, it's a beautiful city, my father (Gary Sr.)
ended his career here," Matthews said. "The weather is great, great
restaurants. I was just telling my mom (Sandra), and it's definitely a
city she would want me to go to."

The Rangers are Matthews' seventh major league team, and this winter he
likely will sign his first multiyear contract. He could team with
Ichiro Suzuki for one of the league's best outfield duos.

According to Matthews, the Rangers told him last spring they only
wanted to sign him to a one-year deal instead of a multiyear contract
that would have carried past free agency. But with an All-Star
appearance and potential top-10 finishes in batting average, multihit
games, hits, doubles and extra-base hits, his asking price has
increased.

"I would say that's safe to say," he said, "but it's all going to
depend on whether the team has a chance to win. That's No. 1 on my
list. But if it were my mom's choice, she would want me to come to
Seattle. But it's a great ballpark and I like playing here. So we'll
see what happens."

"Ed Varner" <Ed.Varner@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1159607880.005206.121870@i42g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...


"but it's all going to depend on whether the team has a chance to win."

So much for Matthews, Jr.

"Erik Kusta" <eriktax@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:12htp9hpsktc235@corp.supernews.com...

[snip]


This wouldn't be a good idea from Seattle.

- He's on the wrong side of 32
- This is the first year he's hit like this (and the Rangers have a
hitter's park)
- The Rangers aren't interested in keeping him

If he were 25 then I'd be excited, but this is not the type of move Seattle
needs to be making.


Michael