Luvofthegame
09-11-2006, 09:14 PM
Potential free agent doesn't want to discuss deal during season
By JOHN HICKEY
P-I REPORTER
9/10/06
Gil Meche wasn't ready to talk contract when the Mariners attempted to gauge his interest in a new deal a couple of months ago.
At the time Meche was in a hot streak -- a 1.60 ERA in June and wins the last day before the All-Star break and the first day after it.
It was making more and more sense at the time that the Mariners would want to strike a deal for Meche, who is eligible for free agency at the end of the season.
Meche wasn't interested at the time because he wasn't interested in talking about a deal in the middle of the season.
The right-handed starter went on a long cold spell after that -- he hasn't won a game since the end of July, but coming into Tuesday's start against Toronto, he's once again close to the top of his game. He's allowed just five runs in his past three starts, and while he hasn't gotten a decision in any of those, he has a 2.05 ERA over that stretch, giving him the best ERA (4.31) of any Seattle starter.
And while his plans remain in limbo, he's not absolutely committed to testing free agency.
The Mariners have a 15-day window after the last game of the World Series in which they have exclusive bargaining rights to their own free agents.
"When they called (his agent, Greg Landry), I just wanted to wait," Meche said. "I don't know what will happen. It will depend on what kind of talk we have at the end of the year.
"Obviously, I want to be happy. And it's hard to say I want to leave here, because this is all I've ever known."
The Mariners will be shopping for free agent pitching this winter, regardless of whether they sign Meche. Adam Eaton, the Snohomish product who pitched so well Sunday for the Rangers, is thought to be on Seattle's wish list.
By JOHN HICKEY
P-I REPORTER
9/10/06
Gil Meche wasn't ready to talk contract when the Mariners attempted to gauge his interest in a new deal a couple of months ago.
At the time Meche was in a hot streak -- a 1.60 ERA in June and wins the last day before the All-Star break and the first day after it.
It was making more and more sense at the time that the Mariners would want to strike a deal for Meche, who is eligible for free agency at the end of the season.
Meche wasn't interested at the time because he wasn't interested in talking about a deal in the middle of the season.
The right-handed starter went on a long cold spell after that -- he hasn't won a game since the end of July, but coming into Tuesday's start against Toronto, he's once again close to the top of his game. He's allowed just five runs in his past three starts, and while he hasn't gotten a decision in any of those, he has a 2.05 ERA over that stretch, giving him the best ERA (4.31) of any Seattle starter.
And while his plans remain in limbo, he's not absolutely committed to testing free agency.
The Mariners have a 15-day window after the last game of the World Series in which they have exclusive bargaining rights to their own free agents.
"When they called (his agent, Greg Landry), I just wanted to wait," Meche said. "I don't know what will happen. It will depend on what kind of talk we have at the end of the year.
"Obviously, I want to be happy. And it's hard to say I want to leave here, because this is all I've ever known."
The Mariners will be shopping for free agent pitching this winter, regardless of whether they sign Meche. Adam Eaton, the Snohomish product who pitched so well Sunday for the Rangers, is thought to be on Seattle's wish list.