Imaginary Diamond

The Seattle Mariners have made it clear that they are very interested in a reunion tour with former M’s center fielder Ken Griffey Jr., and why not? The club is struggling mightily to score runs and has the worst record in the American League (15-25). According to Gregg Bell of the Associated Press, Mariners special assistant Duane Shaffer was in New York scouting Griffey over the weekend, which could put this deal on the fast track.

As Bell emphasizes, small crowds are becoming a big problem in Seattle, even bigger than the Mariners’ anemic offense. A return of the revered Griffey would help solve both, especially if his pursuit of 600 career home runs would follow him from Cincinnati to Seattle. Judging by Griffey’s home run pace so far (4 in 140 at-bats), it seems safe to assume that the chase will continue into the summer months.

The Mariners have incentive to reach a deal quickly. They are 8.5 games back of AL West leader Oakland and must overtake division favorite Los Angeles to earn a playoff berth. Time is of the essence, and they could use another bat in a hurry.

As is the case with any deal, obstacles must be overcome for the trade to happen. Griffey is a 10-and-5 player with the right to veto any deal, and the sense is that he may exercise that power if the situation isn’t quite right in Seattle. According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Griffey would have a problem with being a designated hitter.

Seattle can work around that, so if the club wants to make a deal bad enough, it can and will.

For the Reds, who are still insisting on winning right now, major league ready talent would be a requirement in return. Given the Mariners’ logjam at designated hitter, a package of catcher/DH Jeff Clement and a young arm like Brandon Morrow or Mark Lowe would make sense. The Reds would get the clear-cut outfield void they need to call up super prospect Jay Bruce, and they would add another promising young hitter to the mix in Clement.

Stay tuned, the fates of Bruce and Griffey are likely tied together. There have been no signs that point to anything but immediate success for Bruce, though he will have to work through plate discipline issues. He’s a gifted player with big-time power potential and five-tool skills. He should produce across the board right away.

More thoughts …
Fantasy Hurler breaks down ESPN’s Steve Phillips’ trade advice for the Reds.

Lawyers, Guns and Money highlights Griffey’s claim that Reds management lied to him.

Nine Bo Jacksons checks in with an opinion on Bruce, who manager Dusty Baker reportedly said would be called up ’soon.’

Dustin Hockensmith is editor of ImaginaryDiamond.com. He can be contacted at dhockensmith[at]fantasysports101.net.