Trade Talk a Distraction for Mariners

While the circus continues at Dodger Stadium, the Seattle Mariners hope they have finally rolled up the big tents--not to mention their Big Unit--for the summer.

But just because Mariner president Chuck Armstrong announced Tuesday that the club has “no plans to trade Randy Johnson,” doesn’t mean his players are convinced the rumors are over.

“Is anything definitive?” Seattle pitcher Jamie Moyer asked. “You hear a lot of promises in this game, and when they don’t happen, they make the person who made the promise look bad. What if someone calls and says they’ll give us X, Y and Z for Randy, and it’s something they can’t refuse?”

Mariner shortstop Alex Rodriguez said speculation that Johnson would be traded to the Dodgers has affected the team.

“Maybe not consciously, but subconsciously,” Rodriguez said. “Any time you have a guy like Greg Maddux or Roger Clemens or Randy Johnson going through something like that it can be distracting.

“We obviously need to find a remedy for it, but it’s kind of a no-win situation. The only way we can win is if we re-sign him. I know one thing--we can’t replace him. Ever.”

Johnson, who had an uncharacteristic 5.47 earned-run average going into Wednesday night’s start, for his part, has decided not to say anymore. Through a team public relations official, he said he would not be speaking to the media for the rest of the season.

Johnson, upset that the Mariners have not offered him a contract extension, has made no secret of his desire to be traded, and he acknowledged recently that he has been distracted by questions over his future. But his teammates remained impressed with how he has handled himself.

“He’s been outstanding,” Rodriguez said. “He’s had a great work ethic, he’s kept his mouth shut . . . he’s been a professional.”