Gillick Makes Call To Olerud’S Parents M’S Gm May Give Mets A Run For Ex-WSU Star

One of the first calls Pat Gillick made Monday after being named Seattle’s new general manager - and before his press conference - was to the parents of New York Mets first baseman John Olerud.

Suddenly, the Mets appear to have competition for Olerud even before he can become a free agent.

Olerud’s mother, Lynda, said Gillick usually calls whenever he’s in Seattle. They have remained close since Gillick drafted Olerud for Toronto in 1989.

“John is very appreciative of how he has been treated in New York with the Mets, who have put a high priority on signing him,” Olerud’s father, John Sr., told the Seattle Times. “But there are pluses and minuses on both sides and I’m sure John would see Pat being here as a big plus. He always treated John professionally. He always did what he said he would do.”

Olerud’s agent, Joe McIntosh, Monday said he had had a preliminary conversation with Mets GM Steve Phillips but did not exchange figures. The Mets have exclusive negotiating rights with Olerud until he can file for free agency 15 days after the World Series ends.

McIntosh, reached at his Seattle area office, declined comment on how Gillick’s hiring could affect Olerud and directed all questions concerning his negotiations with the Mets to Phillips, who has made re-signing Olerud his off-season priority.

Olerud, the former Washington State University star, is vacationing in Italy with his wife, Kelly.

One prominent agent said Olerud could demand at least the four-year, $32 million contract Robin Ventura signed with the Mets last winter. Olerud earned $4.25 million this season after signing a relative bargain two-year, $8 million deal after the 1997 season.

But Olerud received no other offers then, although Seattle showed interest. After hitting .354 in 1998 and .297 this season, he should get a big raise.

Olerud and his wife grew up in Bellevue, Wash., where his parents still live. He owns a home near Seattle and one in Phoenix, near the Mariners’ spring training facility.

“As a Mariners season-ticket holder,” John Sr. told the Seattle Times. “I am delighted and excited about what this (the Gillick signing) means for the ballclub.”