Mariners Facing A Dilemma Salary Cap May Keep Seattle From Signing Closer Slocumb

Heathcliff Slocumb is on the Mariners’ endangered list.

The most dependable closer the M’s had during the final two months of the regular season in 1997 might be too expensive to bring back next season, and the defending American League West champions have until Saturday to make a decision.

“It would be great to fit him in, and we’re in the process of seeing if we can do that,” assistant general manager Lee Pelekoudas said Monday.

Players on the 40-man major league rosters must be offered contracts by Saturday or they become free agents. The Mariners still have 23 unsigned players, including Slocumb, relievers Bobby Ayala and Bob Wells, third baseman Russ Davis and projected starting pitchers Paul Spoljaric and Ken Cloude.

Slocumb, acquired in a July 31 trade with Boston for pitcher Derek Lowe and catcher Jason Varitek, was 10-for-11 in save situations, including a pennant-clinching save against Anaheim at the Kingdome.

Slocumb, who made $2.975 million last season, is eligible for salary arbitration and figures to get a substantial pay boost after finishing fifth among A.L. closers with 27 saves.

But even $3 million may price him out of the M’s hazy bullpen picture.

Seattle has 16 players signed for 1998 and they account for more than $43 million of the $50 million player payroll budget.

Trading Randy Johnson, who has one year and $6 million remaining on his contract, would allow the Mariners to keep Slocumb. But the once-furious trade talks with Toronto, the New York Yankees and Cleveland have subsided.

Woody Woodard, vice president of baseball operations, was unavailable to comment Monday on the Johnson situation. So far, Woodward has rejected trade proposals that didn’t include a potential No. 1 starter in return - specifically Pat Hentgen from the Jays, Andy Pettitte from the Yan kees and Jaret Wright from the Indians.

If Slocumb isn’t signed, either Ayala or Mike Timlin would begin spring training as the probable closer. Both have closing experience, though neither has recently demonstrated the ability to secure wins on a regular basis.

Timlin had 31 saves for Toronto in 1996 but only 10 last season - nine with the Jays. Despite a shaky start with Seattle, after being acquired with Spoljaric for left fielder Jose Cruz Jr. on July 31, Timlin had a 1.93 ERA in September and allowed one earned run in his last 11 appearances.

Timlin said Monday he is ready for the closer role.

“Slocumb is a good pitcher and a tough guy to lose, but (being the closer) sounds good to me,” Timlin said from his home in Oldsmar, Fla.

He has been developing a changeup pitch to offset the fastball and hard slider he throws.

“Lou (Piniella) and I talked about working on a splitter or changeup to use against lefties,” Timlin said. “I know a lot of guys who have thrown a splitter have had problems with their elbows, and I’ve already had two (elbow) surgeries. So I have been working on a changeup.”