Seattle May Team Griffeys as First Father-Son Combo

Trying to lure Mark Langston back into the family, the Seattle Mariners are also trying to land a father figure for outfielder Ken Griffey Jr.--his dad.

Even as Jeff Smulyan and General Manager Woody Woodward present what could be a $14-million-plus package to Langston today or Tuesday, the Mariners have had preliminary talks with the Cincinnati Reds about outfielder-first baseman Ken Griffey.

Griffey, a 16-year major-league veteran, is the father of center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. Already the first father and son to play in the big leagues the same season, they could become the only two to play for the same team should Seattle pull off a trade.

“They’ve shown interest in Ken,” a Reds spokesman said, “but it’s all been very preliminary.”

Griffey, 39, had heard nothing about trade talks when reached at his Ohio home Sunday.

“I’m getting in shape to go to spring training with the Reds,” he said. “I haven’t thought about anything else. I haven’t thought about playing on the same team with Kenny because I never really thought we’d both be in the majors at the same time--it all happened so fast last year.

“I can’t speculate on anything else.”

Griffey Jr., who turns 20 this week, was equally taciturn.

“If it happens, that’s fine. It wouldn’t bother me,” he said. “I haven’t thought about it, so if it happens, it happens. If it’s best for the team, great.”