Griffey heading home to Seattle?

May 7, 2008   ·   Paul Raymond   ·   Jump to comments

Are the Seattle Mariners close to acquiring former center fielder Ken Griffey Jr? Its been speculated that the Cincinnati Reds are opening to trading the future hall-of-famer, but the question has been what teams would be interested. Seattle team president Chuck Armstrong has made his teams interest known in an interview with the USA Today, and its set off a firestorm of speculation that a deal is close. Sorry to burst Mariners’ fans bubbles but it’s not about to happen, well at least immediately.

So what set this whole thing off? Armstrong was quoted in the story saying: “I think everybody in Seattle would like to see him retire in a Mariners uniform. He was born a Mariner and I’d like to see him finish up as a Mariner.” Armstrong claims the comments were not made to imply a trade is set or coming, and that it was a just a vision he had. Basically, he says he was suggesting that once the Kid is a free agent again, he could see him rejoining the Mariners. At the end, of the USA Today article he says, “I can’t say much because he is property of the Cincinnati Reds, but he will always have a special place in my heart and everyone here in Seattle.”

Manager John McLaren said the right thing from the start. “Kenny’s always been one of my favorites of the 1990s,” he said. “I can’t comment on it because he’s somebody else’s property.”

Personally, I think this is more just wishful thinking on Seattle’s part, but thinking that should of been kept quiet. If the Reds and Mariners aren’t about to make a deal, and they don’t plan on ever working on one, then things could get sticky. The Reds actually could complain of tampering, something that is probably not likely to happen in this situation.

I do think that the USA Today article may be taken out of context by a lot of websites and blogs. In no way do I think it says a deal is imminent or likely, it’s actually a good piece about the future of the Kid. Griffey is also in the last year of a contract, save a 2009 option the Reds hold that is most likely not going to be picked up. So when the title says, “Griffey’s days in Cincinnati may be numbered” is actually true, no matter should it be trade or free agency.

In the end, Mariners fans keep hope, you will get your star back it just might not be till next year.

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