M’S Plan Season With Johnson

Seattle hasn’t heard an acceptable offer for Randy Johnson, so it appears he will stay with the Mariners until at least the July 31 trade deadline.

“If he’s with us at the beginning and the end, that means we’re right there fighting to get in postseason play,” general manager Woody Woodward said Tuesday.

Johnson is eligible for free agency after the season, and Seattle said Nov. 12 it wouldn’t offer a contract extension. Johnson, who will make $6 million this season, asked to be traded. The Mariners said they were approached by six teams, including the New York Yankees, Cleveland, Toronto and Los Angeles.

“I really thought there would be more clubs calling,” Woodward said. “I didn’t think there would be so many clubs hesitating because of dollars and that’s what I’ve seen over the last couple of months.”

If Seattle has a chance to repeat as A.L. West champion, it’s likely the 34-year-old left-hander will spend the entire season with the Mariners.

“Our posture basically is to win,” manager Lou Piniella said. “So we’re pleased that Randy’s still with us. I feel he’ll be with us all year.”

Woodward said he expects Johnson to report when spring training opens Feb. 15 at Peoria, Ariz.

“I think it’s important that he get there on time and get ready to pitch,” Piniella said.

Seattle said Johnson wanted “Greg Maddux money.” Maddux, a four-time Cy Young Award winner, agreed last season to a $57.5 million, five-year contract extension.

Johnson, who won the A.L. Cy Young Award in 1995, is 121-64 in nine seasons with the Mariners and was 20-4 last season following back surgery. The Mariners don’t expect Johnson to be a distraction in the clubhouse.

“Would you like everybody to be happy and want to be there? Yes,” Woodward said. “Is it absolutely necessary? No.”

Piniella said Johnson’s situation was not unique.

“It’s happened with the Marlins all winter,” he said. “I don’t think we’ll have - I won’t say any problems - but I don’t think we’ll have many problems.”

Woodward said the Mariners had stuck to their “game plan” on Johnson.

“If we get the right deal and we can win this year, we’ll make the trade,” Woodward said. “If not, then we’re going to stay with the best pitcher in the game and try to win with him.”

Piniella said both the Mariners and Johnson will profit if he has a strong season.

“If I were in Randy’s shoes, that would be basically my disposition,” he said.

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