OK, I'm taking my previous bullet points and elaborating with some more info on them from my meeting with Zduriencik.

* J.J. Putz has drawn the most interest from teams so far. Zduriencik said "several" teams have contacted him about Putz and his availability. So far he's heard the Mets, Tigers, Cardinals and Indians, but I assume at least three or four others have also asked.

“Several,” Zduriencik said when asked how many teams have contacted him about Putz.

“In terms of Putz, there’s a lot of clubs in baseball that need that guy,” he said. “Sure there have been inquiries about J.J. We have talked about J.J. with other teams. But we haven’t made a determination about what we are going to do because that’s a very important position for us and a lot of clubs in baseball.”

Putz could clearly bring back perhaps a left-fielder to fill the spot vacated by Raul Ibanez.

“My estimation if anything happened on that front then we would have to consider that it is something that helps this organization short term and long term – as any trade would be,” Zduriencik said.

Realistically, the Tigers would be the most likely partners. We talked about Putz's Michigan roots, but its more than that, the Tigers have some players that might match-up for a trade.

Outfielder Matt Joyce and first baseman Jeff Larish seem like possibilities.

Putz was apparently upset about the trade rumors - he wants to stay with the Mariners. Zduriencik said he called Putz to clarify the situation.

“I said, ‘J.J., I can’t make any promises right now,” Zduriencik said. “I can’t control people calling me and I can’t control people making inquiries about you. There’s nothing I can control about that. That being the case, J.J., you’re a desirable player for a lot of clubs including our own and again as a general manager I have to listen. But I’m not saying anything is going to happen.’”

* Zduriencik has not had any formal talks about a team trying to acquire third baseman Adrian Beltre.

“No one has really talked to me about our third baseman,” Zduriencik said. “People have asked questions about him in passing, but I’ve had no one come to me, and say, ‘I want and sit down and talk to you about acquiring your third baseman.’”

* The same for left-handed starter Jarrod Washburn, Zduriencik said no team has asked about him at this point.

“As far as Jarrod Washburn, I have had no discussions or active trade talks to move him at this period of time,” Zduriencik said.

* With catching always being needed and the Mariners having a surplus, guys like Adam Moore, Rob Johnson and Jeff Clement have some value, but Zduriencik said he's not looking to trade any of his catching, especially younger catching, right now.

“There have been some people who have inquired about our catching,” he said. “As you well know, it’s a very difficult position to fill and we currently have three at the bigt-league and we have some desirable guys at the minor league level. But I am not inclined to move any of our young catching.”

Obviously, the inquiries don’t include Kenji Johjima, who the Mariners would gladly trade if there were takers, but Zduriencik seems firm on keeping Jeff Clement, Rob Johnson and Adam Moore.

“You never know what will happen, or what someone will present to you, but at this moment of time, I am not actively shopping nor do I have a desire to move any of our young catchers,” he said.

* Zduriencik said that Brandon Morrow's conversion to a starter will continue, but admitted that it could change if personnel moves were made. He said that's the case with any player. But as of now, they are looking at Morrow as a starter. If they trade Putz, maybe that changes.

“I haven’t talked to him about it yet," Zduriencik said of Morrow staying a starter. "I think it’s something he wants to do. Myself, Don and the staff will get together and have this debate for quite a period of time, but as of right now, my understanding is that he has been told that he would be given a chance to be in rotation. We haven’t change dour mind on that and don’t know what we will.”

"I do think that any type of player moves, whether it be signing someone, or trading someone, or bringing someone in, whatever you do to improve your ball club, has a domino effect, no question about it,'' Zduriencik said. "I think when the day is said and done, our job is to put the best talented players on the field in the position where they can have the most success. How we determine that is an ongoing process that will remain unanswered until we roll into spring training and realize exactly what this ball club is going to look like.''

* Don Wakamatsu and Erik Bedard hung out last night in Vegas and Zduriencik met with Bedard as well. They are all ecstatic about his progress and believe he should be ready for spring training.

"Don spent some time with him last night and they had a great time," Zduriencik said. "He is every excited. As I said before, and Don echoed it, he met with the trainers (and doctor) and is excited about it. He said, ‘hey, I was not 100 percent last year’ and that affects a lot of things, your approach, your psyche, your confidence and your ability to perform.

“Every indication points that way. But as you go forward with this, sometimes there are things that happen that cause a little setback, but in terms of the steps to be ready, he is in good shape right now.”

* Zduriencik has had further talks with Ken Griffey Jr.'s agent.
"There have been discussions. They’ve been soft, mild, they haven’t been anything concrete. I’ve talked to Brian a couple different times about a different thoughts and ideas, and again why wouldn’t I listen to what he had to say, I’m not closing the door to anything. There’s no dialogue going on that would lead to something, all it is cordial conversations."

* Zduriencik talked briefly about Willie Bloomquist, and said they don't have anybody on the roster like him in terms of versatility, but said little about re-signing him.

"I would say based on what Willie did, that we probably don’t have anybody on our 25-man roster to do what he did. We probably don’t have anyone on our 40 man roster. So I think multi-purpose, mulit-positional player is a desirable player. As we move forward, we’ll see how the other pieces fit together to see how if he fits in, if at all. Or does someone else fit in that role. I don’t’ have that answer yet."

Alright, we just got back from a 30-minute media session with new GM Jack Zduriencik.

I'm going to post a few quick bullet points and then come back with some added detail.

* J.J. Putz has drawn the most interest from teams so far. Zduriencik said "several" teams have contacted him about Putz and his availability. So far he's heard the Mets, Tigers, Cardinals and Indians, but I assume at least three or four others have also asked.

* Zduriencik has not had any formal talks about a team trying to acquire third baseman Adrian Beltre.

* The same for left-handed starter Jarrod Washburn, Zduriencik said no team has asked about him at this point.

* With catching always being needed and the Mariners having a surplus, guys like Adam Moore, Rob Johnson and Jeff Clement have some value, but Zduriencik said he's not looking to trade any of his catching, especially younger catching, right now.

* Zduriencik said that Brandon Morrow's conversion to a starter will continue, but admitted that it could change if personnel moves were made. He said that's the case with any player. But as of now, they are looking at Morrow as a starter. If they trade Putz, maybe that changes.

* Don Wakamatsu and Erik Bedard hung out last night in Vegas and Zduriencik met with Bedard as well. They are all ecstatic about his progress.

* Zduriencik talked briefly about Willie Bloomquist, and said they don't have anybody on the roster like him in terms of versatility, but said little about re-signing him.

Just walking through the casino after lunch with John Hickey, we came upon a gaggle of former Mariners with Lou Piniella, Bob Melvin and Bryan Price all having some conversations. Didn't have my camera for a picture.

Of course, we butted our way in. Pretty cordial stuff really. Lou did say that he loves Raul Ibanez, pronouncing it EYE-Bahnes as only he can, and what a great "kid" he is. But the first thing he asked us, "Can he play right field?"

Um, well, um, well, he can play it. Can he play it well? Well that's a whole other issue. And that may be the determining factor in offering him a contract. The Cubs already have Alfonso Soriano in left field, and he isn't winning a gold glove any time soon. Lou said that they are planning to move Kosuke Fukudome to center field, leaving an opening in right.

That being the case, it seems logical that Bobby Abreu is a better fit for the Cubs.

Also, J.J. Putz's name was brought up by Price, and Lou said, "What's he making?" When told it was 5.5 million this season and 9 next, Lou raised eyebrows in interest and smiled - enough said. Now, let's not add the Cubs to the J.J. rumor mill, even if they didn't try to re-sign last year's closer, Kerry Wood, and seventh-inning set-up guy Bobby Howry to free agency. They still have Carlos Marmol, and that's enough.

But really, Lou's reaction to J.J.'s salary and his possible availability is just a reminder of some of his value.

The D-Backs need bullpen help of a different nature - specifically a left-handed set-up man. They currently are looking at Arthur Lee Rhodes, and Price said he'd be a good fit, particularly because Arthur is older and is comfortable being a leader and making the younger guys accountable. The D-Backs lost that presence when reliever Brandon Lyon opted for free agency.

Price said, "Lyon would be good for (Seattle)." Sorry BP, the Mariners need hitters.

We will be meeting with GM Jack Zduriencik in about an hour.

Erik Bedard was leaving Las Vegas Monday, just about the time most of Major League Baseball was getting down to work at the winter meetings.

If anyone was more surprised than the Seattle Mariners media contingent – which saw Bedard walking through the hotel – it was Bedard, who couldn’t quite figure out what the ruckus was.

Was he there huddling with GM Jack Zduriencik about a contract extension? Had the left-hander been traded?

“I flew in Saturday to see my doctor,” Bedard said by telephone from the Las Vegas airport. “It was scheduled that way, so I flew in and spent a few nights here and I’m flying home.

“I honestly thought the winter meetings started tomorrow. I got off the elevator and there was a lot of media there. It was weird.”

As it turns out, the news Bedard got in Vegas was good – the surgeon who worked on his left shoulder last September looked him over and OKed him to begin throwing again.

“I haven’t thrown a ball since September, and it’ll be good just to start with four minutes on Wednesday,” Bedard said. “My brother, Mike, is my catcher. I remember when I was coming back from ‘Tommy John’ surgery, how strange it was to try to throw again.

“You wonder if your arm is going to hurt, if it’s going to blow up. You’re kind of like ‘Oh my God, will it hold up?’ I got through that, I’ll get through this. I’ll build up my strength and endurance and be ready for spring training.”

If he’s ready when camp opens in February, the Mariners will be delighted – Bedard figures to be the club’s No. 2 starter behind Felix Hernandez. That would give the Mariners a marvelous 1-2 combination of righty and lefty power to set up the end of rheir rotation: Brandon Morrow, lefty Ryan Rowland-Smith and Carlos Silva.

For now, he’s got the media in Vegas chasing possibilities.

“I don’t know why my being here is a story,” Bedard said. “But I’m doing great, since you asked.”

As I wandered through the Bellagio casino trying to find Erik Bedard to no avail (apparently he's already at the airport headed home after having Dr. Lewis Yocumb do a check up on his shoulder), I did run into Tacoma Rainiers president Aaron Artman, who had just finished a workout.

Of course, I had to ask about the proposed ownership rights swap between the city of Tacoma and Pierce County for Cheney Stadium. Here's the Dave Wickert-Jason Hagey story from it a week ago.

Artman was just coming off vacation so he didn't know all that the process entailed, but viewed it as a positive.

"It just makes sense to have one owner," he said. "There could be some cost-saving aspects that way."

Artman also thought that the change could expedite the renovation process in the future.

But Cheney will undergo some big renovations before next season. Artman said there will about $2.5 million in renovations to the 48-year-old stadium, with a new LED video board being installed along with a new scoreboard, plus the necessary technology to operate them.

OK, right now Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland are up on the main podium discussing their trade for Rangers catcher Gerald Laird for two minor league pitching prospects. The news broke last night and former P-I writer Jon Paul Morosi had this story.

"He fills one of our biggest needs as we move forward," Dombrowski said.

Why is this important, well, the Tigers were able to address a major need without giving up too much in the way of players.

"It doesn’t hurt that we didn’t have to be in apposition to give up a couple guys that were in the upper level of the organization," Dombrowski said.

And now that next major need for Detroit? A closer.

"We're looking to improve our closer," Dombrowski said. "We’re looking at people that are on the free agent market and in some trades.

Don't expect Detroit to get in a bidding war for free agent Francisco Rodriguez (the Mets appear to be bidding against themselves). But Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman are also available in trades, but Dombrowski will certainly check in with the Mariners on the availability of one Mr. Joseph Jason "J.J." Putz.

Putz is a Michican native, born in Trenton, Mich., and pitched collegiately for the University of Michigan. Now this isn't like Jarrod Washburn, who would love to move back up north. Putz now resides in Arizona and really wants to stay with the M's. But Putz still loves the Wings, the Lions (sorry) and his alma mater, so being up there wouldn't be horrible for him.

With that being said, there should be some trepidation for the Mariners trading Putz right now. He is coming off of such an injury-plagued year that what Seattle could get for him right now in a trade is significantly less. His reputation is still good enough to command something good in return, but if he were to come back strong early this season and regain his 2007 form, his value around the trade deadline could be significantly higher. But he could also struggle again and have no value.

What would you do?

A few links ...

A few other notes, UW alum and Chicago Sun Times Cubs' writer Gordon Wittenmeyer mentions that in the Cubs' search for a right fielder includes Bobby Abreu and Raul Ibanez with Ibanez being manager Lou Piniella's preference.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo has an interesting column on Alex Rodriguez's decision to play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

Talk about a guy that's searching for a personal identity.

Jamie Moyer is haggling with the Phillies over money.

Good morning. We're coming to you live from the ballroom of the Bellagio Resort & Hotel (above). Most of the writers are starting to file in, some pretty bleary-eyed. Last night was pretty mellow in terms of any hi-jinks, but for die-hard baseball fans, it's kind of cool. One minute I was standing near Rays manager Joe Maddon, and the next I looked over and Cubs GM Jim Hendry is standing around having conversations.

Anyway, I'll try and keep you updated throughout the day with whatever news breaks, and any rumors that might be floating around.

A few quick things ...

The Mariners had three minor league signings this week, left-handed pitcher Chris Seddon, catcher Luis Oliveros and first baseman Chris Shelton.

Seddon spent all of last season in the Marlins system playing at Triple A Albuquerque. He posted a 10-9 record in 27 starts with a 5.09 ERA and 1.57 WHIP.

Shelton, you may remember, is a guy who hit 10 homers in the month of April for the Detroit Tigers back in 2006. He never could keep up that torrid pace. He spent part of last season with the Rangers.

Does this mean he fits into the Mariners major league plans? Probably not completely. But he's a cheap pickup who provides some depth.

Now to the links ...
Here's my winter meetings preview from today's paper.

The Mets met with Francisco Rodriguez last night and will supposedly meet with Trevor Hoffman and Brian Fuentes, according to David Lennon of Newsday. Right now, the trickle-down effect from what happens with those guys could affect the value of J.J. Putz to other teams.

The Boston Globe's Tony Massarotti mentions that the Red Sox are looking at possibly trying to sign Willie Bloomquist as a bench player. Apparently Willie is a favorite of manager Terry Francona. It will be surprising if that happens, because Bloomquist seemed set on signing with a National League team in order to play more.

That's all for now.