Tino Martinez Trade On Hold

The only thing preventing the Mariners from trading first baseman Tino Martinez to the New York Yankees appears to be getting a young third baseman in return.

The Mariners have agreed to swap Martinez for left-handed pitcher Sterling Hitchcock, sources in New York said Wednesday, but the M’s also want third baseman Russell Davis included in the deal.

Woody Woodward, the M’s vice president for baseball operations, is in Puerto Rico watching Mariners prospects playing winter ball and could not be reached. Davis would fill the void created Wednesday when Seattle traded third baseman Mike Blowers to the Los Angeles Dodgers for two minor league infielders who could be two years away from playing in the majors. Like the Blowers trade, this would be a budgetdriven deal.

Hitchcock was 11-10 with a 4.70 ERA in 27 starts for the Yankees last season. He made $125,000.

Davis, 26, is regarded as Wade Boggs’ heir-apparent. He batted .276 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 40 games. He earned the majorleague minimum.