Not even the New York Yankees' offer of reliever Mariano Rivera, rated one of the American League's top closers, could entice the Mariners to give up Randy Johnson.
Three clubs have made trade offers, and outside of the Rivera offer, the return for Johnson so far has been paltry. Asked about the Yankees' bid, Seattle General Manager Woody Woodward did not confirm it directly but said: "We need a starting pitcher back in any deal for Randy. If we don't get one, if we don't get what we are looking for, then we are fully prepared to go into the season with Randy on our team."
A Mariner official also said there are concerns about Rivera's arm. There were suspicions the 27-year-old right-hander had shoulder trouble late in the season. Rivera had 43 saves, appeared in 66 games and was 6-4 with a 1.88 earned-run average.
Seattle was looking for 1996 AL Cy Young winner Pat Hentgen from Toronto in a deal for Johnson. But the Blue Jays offered pitcher Juan Guzman and outfielder Shawn Green, a Toronto source said. The Mariners reportedly sought Jose Cruz Jr., the rookie they traded in July for relievers Paul Spoljaric and Mike Timlin.
While the Yankees dangled Rivera, they might have refused to consider a Seattle request for left-handed starter Andy Pettitte.