Mariners Hope Olivares, Lira Capable Of Providing Pitching Support

In a move that most pleases Seattle Mariners manager Lou Piniella because it replaces one relief pitcher with two experienced major league pitchers, the Mariners started the restructuring of their pitching staff Friday.

Seattle acquired Omar Olivares and Felipe Lira from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for right-handed reliever Scott Sanders and minor leaguers Dean Crow, a reliever at AAA Tacoma, and Class A third baseman Carlos Villalobos.

“We got two pitchers for one with major league experience,” Piniella said. “They both have starting experience. This increases our depth for sure.”

The move is likely to be just the first in a possible flurry of changes prior to the July 31 trading deadline.

“We need a couple more deals,” Piniella said. “Let’s not think that we can stop here.”

General manager Woody Wood ward, speaking from a pay phone near Orlando, Fla., on his way to watch the Memphis Chicks, the Mariners’ Class AA team, agreed that this was just the first trade.

“I certainly hope there is more to come,” Woodward said. “Lou and I are pleased with this one. It was one we could make without a money concern so it fit for a lot of reasons. We’d still like to make one or two more, no doubt about it. They take a while but that’s the game plan.”

Piniella’s plan is for adding two relievers, one a left-hander.

Any further deals would include primarily minor-league players.

“I do not plan to break up our offense,” Woodward said. “So that means I have to look to give up top prospects to try to make a deal. We do have some prospects that are liked by other clubs. It’s just a matter of having to match up.”

Olivares, a 30-year-old who has pitched well against the Mariners, going 4-1 in six starts, will arrive today and may pitch out of the bullpen over the weekend before moving into the starting rotation Wednesday.

Olivares has a 5-6 record with a 4.70 earned-run average in 19 starts this season. He has pitched for St. Louis, Philadelphia and Colorado in addition to the Tigers, compiling a 42-45 career record.

Lira, 25, who has shown promise the past three seasons with Detroit, has been roughed up lately. He started and lost Thursday at Anaheim.

He will not join the Mariners until Tuesday. He will be used in middle relief initially and may be used as a starter if needed. Lira has a 5-7 record and 5.77 ERA in 20 games, 15 starts.

Both players, reached in Arlington, Texas, where the Tigers were playing a series with the Texas Rangers, expressed happiness to be joining a front-runner.

“Going to a contending team is something special,” said Olivares, who lives with Lira in Detroit.

The trade will push Edwin Hurtado, who was scheduled to start Thursday, to the bullpen.

Bob Wolcott, today’s starter, will stay in the rotation, according to Piniella.

When Lira arrives Tuesday, Seattle will have to make a move to clear a roster spot. Mike Maddux would be the most likely casualty of the trade.