Moyer trade signals end of an era
Gracious as usual, Jamie Moyer was busy returning his slew of Seattle goodbye phone calls Saturday night.
“Today’s been a whirlwind, and tonight has been even more of a whirlwind,” Moyer said from his Seattle home hours after his Mariners team of the last 11 seasons traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies for two Class-A pitchers.
Philadelphia general manager and former Mariners GM Pat Gillick convinced Moyer to waive his no-trade rights as a vested veteran – which Moyer had enacted last summer to void a swap to the Houston Astros.
The tireless 43-year-old left-hander with 211 career wins now joins Gillick among those long gone from the 2001 team that won a major league record-tying 116 games.
Ichiro Suzuki, whose contract is up after 2007, and the endangered Joel Pineiro are the only Mariners left from that wondrous season. It seems light years ago at the end of a third consecutive last-place season.
Bonds wants to stay put
Barry Bonds wants to finish his career with the Giants but his aging body may prevent him from doing that.
Bonds is in the final season of a $90 million, five-year contract with San Francisco and knows he might have to go to the American League as a designated hitter next year – if he returns at all.
“As far as playing every day, I can’t do it,” Bonds said. “I have to give my body at least 24 hours to recover. But my choice is not to leave San Francisco.”
The 42-year-old slugger’s quest to top the home run list – he’s 31 shy of Hank Aaron’s 755 – has been slowed since three knee operations last year limited him to 14 games in 2005.
Bonds added, “I know what I can do on a baseball field. I can still play.”
Glavine’s health in question
Tom Glavine felt coldness in his left ring finger after his start Wednesday in Philadelphia and depending on tests in the next few days, the 40-year-old pitcher could be on the mound as soon as next weekend or require surgery.
He tried to be optimistic, and Mets officials expressed hope that he will return to the mound soon.
“When you start hearing blood clots and aneurysms and stuff like that, you start thinking heart attacks or strokes and stuff.
“I’m hoping for the best but certainly am prepared and understand what the worst is,” Glavine added.
Clearing the bases
Oakland closer Huston Street was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right groin and manager Ken Macha said it was not clear when he might return. …Mike Mussina left the game against Boston after just four innings because of tightness in his groin. …Minnesota Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano looked “as good as can be anticipated” when evaluated by team doctors for a strained ligament in his left arm and will begin a throwing program on Tuesday. …Reliever Guillermo Mota was traded to the New York Mets by the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named. …The Detroit Tigers acquired Neifi Perez from the Chicago Cubs for a minor leaguer. …The Houston Astros designated catcher Eric Munson for assignment and recalled catcher J.R. House.