Guardado back in 06

[love_that_reefer]

The Seattle Mariners on Wednesday picked up veteran closer Eddie Guardado's $6.25 million contract option for 2006, instead of taking their chances with anchoring their bullpen via an uncertain free-agent market.

Guardado, who turned 35 last month, saved 36 games and had a 2.72 ERA in 58 games last season. That, despite pitching for a last-place team through knee pain and being one year removed from a torn rotator cuff in his left, throwing shoulder.

"We have other holes to fill on this team. We didn't want to add to them," Mariners vice president and general manager Bill Bavasi said, referring to the team's need for multiple, veteran starting pitchers and at least one left-handed hitter.

Bavasi added that Guardado's knee was a bigger concern to the team than the rotator cuff, but said Guardado has been able to manage the pain so far.

Bavasi said before the team made this decision, it examined the closer options available around the league. That market includes 38-year-old save master Trevor Hoffman, whom San Diego recently released. Bavasi and Seattle executives decided a sore-kneed Guardado was better than Hoffman or any other Plan B, even at a relatively pricey $6.25 million.

Had the Mariners passed on their option, as some expected, Guardado did have a $4.25 million player option he could have exercised. But with the closing reliever pool perceived as so shallow, Seattle figured Guardado, who had 48 strikeouts and just 15 walks last season, may have been tempted to bypass his option to make a bigger splash on the open market.

Bavasi said the Mariners and Guardado have discussed a contract extension beyond 2006. But the general manager didn't think that was a factor in keeping the left-hander in Seattle in the interim.

Not bad. He will be cheaper than most of the GOOD closers out there.

[MarinersFan87]

Hopefully we can get the ball to him a little more this year. A healthy Raffy Soriano should be able to hold down the set up spot.

[Providence A's]

Here's something interesting had they not brought Eddie back:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseba...69_mari02.html

Sources said Tuesday the Mariners have contacted the agents representing Trevor Hoffman, 38, the longtime San Diego closer who is second on the all-time saves list.

Hoffman and Guardado are having similar offseasons. Both want to return to their respective clubs, but are running into obstacles.

The Mariners have until tonight to pick up their $6.25 million option on Guardado's contract or he can file for free agency.

The Padres say they want Hoffman back, but the first offer he received (two years, $10 million) was so jarring that Hoffman went into the team's clubhouse and cleared out his locker. His next move was to file for free agency.

[MarinersFan87]

Hoffman is probably an upgrade, but at a much higher cost, I'll take Eddie and use the $$$ to throw at someone else.