Cirillo Says No to Trade Involving Mets, Mariners

Third baseman Jeff Cirillo has blocked a trade to the New York Mets, saying he’d rather come off the bench for the Seattle Mariners than take his chances with another team.

The Mets and Mariners had agreed on a deal that would have sent Cirillo to New York for outfielder Roger Cedeno.

Cirillo’s contract contains a limited no-trade clause that allows him to block deals to about 10 teams. His decision to reject the deal was reported Saturday by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Seattle Times.

“I’d rather be a backup with the Mariners,” Cirillo said. “I’ll take my chances trying to win a pennant with Seattle, where I’m close to home and close to my family and kids.”

The Mariners signed former Angel Scott Spiezio last week to be their new starting third baseman.

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Armando Benitez agreed to a $3.5-million, one-year contract with the Florida Marlins, a move that prompted the team not to offer a deal to former closer Braden Looper.

Benitez had 21 saves last season for the Mets before being traded to the New York Yankees in July. The Yankees dealt him to Seattle three weeks later. The signing is contingent on Benitez’s passing a physical, the Marlins said.

Florida also agreed to a $2.5-million, one-year contract with right-hander A.J. Burnett and a $6.2-million, two-year contract with shortstop Alex Gonzalez, a deal that pays him $2.8 million next season and $3.4 million in 2005.

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The Mariners agreed to a $6,875,000, one-year contract with right-hander Freddy Garcia, retaining the services of the workhorse of one of baseball’s best rotations.... Designated hitter Erubiel Durazo agreed to a $2.1-million, one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics, avoiding salary arbitration.... The Boston Red Sox agreed to an $825,000, one-year contract with catcher Doug Mirabelli.

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The Marlins’ plans to build a new ballpark appear to be dead, the Sun-Sentinel reported in Saturday’s edition.

Miami officials said they can’t donate land or money for the stadium, and a proposed sales tax increase in Miami-Dade County to raise money for the project is having trouble gaining support.

“We really cannot find the moneys to come up with for the stadium, and the county’s really reluctant to put the referendum for a half-cent sales tax on the ballot,” Miami City Manager Joe Arriola was quoted as saying by the paper. “As far as the city is concerned, there’s not going to be a deal ... this is over.”