No Truth To A-Rod Trade Talk Rodriguez, In Addition To Griffey, Untouchable, Mariners Gm Says

Seattle Mariners general manager Woody Woodward says the names of Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez have not come up in trade talks with other clubs for one simple reason: They’re not available.

That hasn’t kept Rodriguez’ name from being mentioned in trade rumors.

Last week, Rodriguez heard he and pitcher Randy Johnson, who has been the subject of frequent trade talk, could be sent to the New York Yankees for shortstop Derek Jeter, first baseman Tino Martinez and pitcher David Wells.

“I talked to Alex late last week … and he asked me about the rumor,” Woodward told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. “I have no idea where that came from, and I assured him that he is not going to be traded.”

“I can understand it if word gets out that teams are talking about a certain player … but I haven’t put Alex’s name out there just as I haven’t put Junior’s (Ken Griffey Jr.) name out there,” said Woodward, vice president of baseball operations for the Mariners.

“Clubs don’t ask for either one because they know they’re not available.”

Rodriguez, who is signed through 2000, was mentioned in trade talks late in the 1995 season, when the Mariners were trying to acquire starting pitching help for the stretch drive. Andy Benes was acquired from the San Diego Padres and club officials say Rodriguez, 22, was never on the trading block.

Rodriguez, a two-time American League All-Star, batted .300 last season. He had 23 home runs and 84 RBIs after earning major league Player-of-the-Year honors in 1996.

Meanwhile, Woodward is fielding inquiries about Johnson, who wants to be traded before entering the final year of his contract.

“There have been some (trade) discussions, but nothing is ready to happen,” Woodward said. “I wouldn’t mind having another inexpensive pitcher, and we are certainly open to talk about Randy Johnson. I will leave it at that.”