Is An Almost-As-Big Unit Better Than No Unit At All?
Could Randy Johnson don a Mariners uniform in 2007? Those speculating aren’t entirely convinced floundering GM Bill Bavasi could pull off a (worthwhile) deal to acquire the Yankees’ aging Unit, and although we’re not the most astute of M’s followers, we’re dubious, too. We think it’s more likely the Mariners will trade for another mound giant—the Dodgers’ Mark Hendrickson. Because we saw him downtown last night.
We couldn’t help doing a double-take when we walked into a Pike Street elevator lobby and stood behind this huge guy waiting for the ding. We looked down from his bearded neck, down his legs stilts, to his luggage. Embroidered on the front of one black bag was the Dodgers’ soaring-ball logo. On the luggage tag, a royal blue and red “30”—his LA number. Mark Hendrickson? We wondered. We watched the guy get in the elevator, turn around, and look us in the eye (and Dodgers cap) as the doors closed. Yep, it was him.
Sure, Hendrickson hails from Mt. Vernon and was a basketball forward at WSU. Yeah, he’s probably got family in the area. And okay, it is the holiday season and he may have simply been on his way to said family’s home. But it was the day after Christmas, and his baggage tags showed he’d recently arrived from LAX. And the Mariners have been watching hurlers sign elsewhere all off-season.
What do you think, Mariners fans? Would Bavasi dare trade Sexson or Beltre for Hendrickson’s career 4.98 ERA and .291 BAA? Bavasi has high hopes, this pitcher is nearly as big tall as Johnson—and would be a whole lot cheaper. Could it happen?
