Dodgers, M’S Discuss Johnson Deal Would Reportedly Involve Valdes; Teams Say Nothing’s Imminent

The Seattle Mariners are talking with Los Angeles about a trade that would send Randy Johnson to the Dodgers for three players, including righthander Ismael Valdes, The Seattle Times reported Friday.

The newspaper did not identify the other two Dodgers who might be coming to the Mariners.

“I wouldn’t term anything there close in any way,” Dodgers executive vice president Fred Claire said. “Very frankly, I don’t expect to make a trade with the Mariners or any significant move before the start of spring training.”

The Mariners said they had discussed the possibility of shipping their ace left-hander to the Dodgers, but said nothing was imminent.

“The key words for me are that we ‘aren’t close,”’ general manager Woody Woodward said. “We have talked to the Dodgers, among other clubs, since the holidays. I won’t get into names we’ve talked about.”

Johnson, 34, became the Mariners’ first 20-game (20-4) winner in history last season, helping the team take its second A.L. West title in three seasons. He won the A.L. Cy Young Award in 1995.

The Mariners are listening to trade offers for him after deciding in November they couldn’t afford to keep Johnson after the 1998 season. His contract runs out after the ‘98 season and he will become a free agent.

Valdes, 25, had a 10-11 record with a 2.65 ERA for the Dodgers last season.