Interestin, but this would put Seattle out of the market for Valentin. From the Seattle Post,
According to a well-placed source, Seattle is close to signing shortstop Rich Aurilia, below, who hit .277 with 13 home runs and 58 RBIs for the San Francisco Giants last season, to a one-year, $4 million contract.
The deal is contingent on the Mariners being able to trade Carlos Guillen, who recently agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. The Mariners would have to eliminate Guillen's salary to make Aurilia's $4 million fit within their 2004 budget.
According to the source, Guillen could go to the Tigers, Brewers or Rockies, although the Rockies reportedly are close to signing Royce Clayton. The source said the Mariners would be willing to take prospects for Guillen.