Mariners Upgrade Their Expectations Piniella Believes His Team’s Ready To Capitalize On The Successes Of Its 1995 Season

For the past week, an Atlanta Braves’ information guide lay on the table in Lou Piniella’s office.

It was not there by accident. Along with detailed reports on the National League champions that had been filed by Seattle scouts over the previous weeks, the Mariners were using every source possible to prepare for the World Series. Down to, and including, the Braves’ press book.

That was the expectation.

Now what?

Now, their run to glory having fallen short, there are expectations of a different sort. Now the Mariners don’t have to build a winner. They have to maintain one.

“There’s no reason we can’t,” said Piniella. “Yes, expectations will be higher. But that’s not pressure, that’s a challenge. Pressure is when you’re unsure if you can do something. Challenge is duplicating it, taking it a bit further next time. I think that’s easier now. After this season, our team knows the road.”

The road would seem to start at the doorstep of the hoped-for new baseball stadium.

After Seattle’s final loss to the Cleveland Indians, Mariners CEO John Ellis gave a brief talk during a quick team meeting and spoke in solidly positive terms about the upcoming key vote by the King County Council. Later he said, “You can’t help but think we’re here to stay.”

Whether they are could have an impact on negotiations with outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. over a contract extension. Last week, while talking in broad terms about a five-year extension for his client, agent Brian Goldberg told Mariners officials, “We’ll talk more when the stadium issue is settled and you know where you stand.”

From there, a new ballpark could also act as a magnet for free agents.

“We were talking about it on the bus in Cleveland on Sunday night,” outfielder Jay Buhner said. “You put a competitive ballclub in a new ballpark in Seattle, and you’ll have free agents from all over wanting to play here.”

But how to pay them?

When 1995’s salary total hit $30 million, plus the $2 million contingencies fund, a red light started flashing in the owners suite. Vice president Woody Woodward was first told to cut salary - then after an appeal by Piniella during training camp, was told to hold the line.

With the playoff-push additions of Andy Benes, Norm Charlton and Vince Coleman, the payroll hit $33.5 million. The initial 1996 budget is expected to be $30-32 million.

More than 70 percent of that - about $23 million - is expected to go to seven players on the active roster. So where does the money come from to pay first baseman Tino Martinez and Charlton, who can be expected to make $2-3 million each? Or for any free agents needed to fill out the starting rotation? Or for catcher Dan Wilson and third baseman Mike Blowers, who could command a combined $1 million.

Will the Mariners unload payroll? Can Chris Bosio, his innings limited by lack of conditioning caused by bad knees, be moved to save money?

Would the Mariners trade or not offer contracts to Blowers or pitchers Jeff Nelson and Bobby Ayala - all eligible for salary arbitration?

“I don’t see any reason why we can’t assemble a club competitive enough to take this further,” Piniella said. “We have a nucleus, solid and experienced. We just have to add to it.”

The manager’s first concern is the starting rotation, which this season depended far too much on Randy Johnson.

The Mariners would like to bring back Tim Belcher, who was to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Thursday, for his work ethic and steadiness. Bob Wolcott can be penned in for another spot. Salomon Torres and Rafael Carmona, both expected to start in winter ball, will be penciled in.

“We’ve got a few ideas on Torres’ delivery,” Piniella said. “We want him to stay closed more, drive at the batter. It will be a project for Bobby (pitching coach Bobby Cuellar).”

It will not be the highest-profile project, however. The Mariners are thinking of making Ayala, who struggled and lost his closer’s job to Charlton, into a starter. Ayala made five starts for Piniella in Cincinnati in 1992 after going 12-6 in 27 starts for Chattanooga.

“It depends on what kind of success we have re-signing Charlton,” Piniella said. “As a starter, Ayala would have to work on getting his breaking ball going again.”

In the bullpen, Seattle has only one given: righthander Bill Risley. The Mariners may decide not to tender a contract to Nelson, making him a free agent. They could then try to sign him back at less money than he’d see in arbitration.

One thing is certain: “We have to get a lefty out there,” Piniella said. “We need more balance.”

Behind the plate, the much-improved Wilson will be No. 1 and Chris Widger, a superb athlete, will again be backup.

The infield? Piniella lists re-signing Martinez, who made $1 million last year, as a top priority. Joey Cora and Felix Fermin will share second base, and Alex Rodriguez is expected to start a long run at shortstop.

This does not mean that the unsung Luis Sojo is out. If the M’s are unable to work something out to bring Blowers and his 96 RBIs back, Sojo could be used at third with Doug Strange.

Left field could be open. Vince Coleman spoke longingly about coming back, and the M’s would take him for the $250,000 he made this season. Darren Bragg also will get another look.

“Since we won this year, we won’t just be looking for talent,” Piniella said. “A big part of our success was the amazing chemistry, the best I’ve ever seen. It is essential that whoever we add fit into that - and, of course, into the budget.”