Aaron Heilman traded from Seattle to Cubs
Photos
2008 Mets season, game-by-game
Final weekend at Shea Stadium
Mets at spring training
SEATTLE - Aaron Heilman's stay with the Seattle Marinersdidn't last long.
The reliever, obtained from the New York Mets last month, wastraded to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday for infielder Ronny Cedenoand left-hander Garrett Olson.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry completed the deal while hewhile traveling in Rome.
A failed reliever with the Mets, Heilman could get the chance tostart that he wants in Chicago. The 30-year-old grew up a Cubs fanin Indiana and was graduated from Notre Dame.
Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said that Cedeno willcompete for a job at second base and shortstop, prodding incumbentsJose Lopez and Yuniesky Betancourt. He also said Olson will get thechance to join the starting rotation.
So much for Seattle's spring training being just to work out thekinks for the regular season. The new GM has put Mariners veteranson notice that past performance doesn't necessarily guarantee theywill be starting again.
After all, their most recent performance netted a 101-lossseason.
"This year with a new staff there's going to be fresh eyeslooking at all these guys," Zduriencik said in a telephoneinterview. "I do hope we are creating the environment where peoplerealize they have to come in ready to compete for positions.
"Our No. 1 goal is to continue to accumulate talent in ourorganization while doing everything we can to compete in 2009," hesaid in a statement released by the Mariners. "Today's tradeallows us to acquire a young, left-handed starting pitcher withmajor league experience that we will still control for fiveseasons. At the same time, by adding Cedeno we have a player who isvery versatile and gives us protection and depth, and can competefor a job at second base and shortstop immediately."
Cedeno, who turns 26 next week, hit .269 in 99 games for Chicagolast season while playing five positions. He made his major leaguedebut with Chicago in 2005.
Heilman came to Seattle on Dec. 10 in the three-team trade thatsent closer J.J. Putz to the New York Mets. Heilman went 3-8 with a5.21 ERA and three saves in 78 games last year with the Mets,blowing five of eight save chances. Seattle had told Heilman he'dget the chance to start, even though the Mariners already have sixother starters.
Zduriencik thanked Heilman for his professionalism. Heilmandutifully attended a weekend fan function at frigid Safeco Fieldlast weekend and talked enthusiastically about getting a freshstart outside New York, which mostly despised him after he blewfive saves in eight chances last season.
"We were excited to acquire him, and sorry to trade him,"Zduriencik said. "But I felt this was a deal that we couldn't passup."
The Cubs acquired Olson from Baltimore on Jan. 18 for outfielderFelix Pie. Zduriencik was interested in getting him because he isyoung and left-handed.
Olson went 9-10 with a 6.65 ERA in 26 starts with Baltimore in2008. He is 10-13 with a 6.87 ERA in 33 career starts, all with theOrioles, who drafted him between the first and second rounds of the2005 amateur draft.
