Without Bonds, Griffey Withdraws Offer To Defer Salary

Ken Griffey Jr. has canceled his informal contract-deferral offer to the Seattle Mariners because the club signed free-agent outfielder Mike Felder.

Griffey has said, without following through with the club or his agent, that he was willing to defer all but $1 million annually of his large anticipated multiyear contract if the club signed free-agent Barry Bonds.

"Only if they sign Barry, no one else," Griffey said. "That was before Tiny (Felder) signed. Now there's nobody (to sign). He's going to play left field."

Griffey believed he was unprotected in the batting lineup with the departure of Kevin Mitchell, the No. 4 hitter who was traded to Cincinnati last month for relief pitcher Norm Charlton. Griffey doesn't want to bat cleanup and doesn't see anyone on the roster who can.

Griffey, who has two years left before he is eligible to become a free agent, and the Mariners have been discussing a multiyear deal for the past three months. The Mariners' offer has climbed to more than $30 million for a five-year contract.

If the contract had been settled in that range, and Griffey's idea had been invoked, at least $25 million would have been deferred.

"I've talked to Junior about the makeup of the team and the outlook, but nothing specific like that," Brian Goldberg, Griffey's agent, said.

"We've talked in general terms. He wants to see a `name' signee and he's doing what he can to tell players what a great place it (Seattle) is to live."

Griffey, who had been on vacation and didn't know the club had signed Felder or of the pending signing of pitcher Chris Bosio until last night, said he hasn't talked to Bonds or anyone else about coming to Seattle.

Asked what else the American League club needs, Griffey said, "That's their (front-office officials) job. That's what they get paid for, not me."

Bonds reportedly is negotiating with the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves and at least one other team, not believed to be the Mariners. He seeks $35 million for five years. It's believed Griffey is waiting until Bonds signs before the Seattle center fielder determines his value.

Goldberg said the two sides "are still talking, but nothing is imminent. Both sides have firm offers on the table. . . ."

Griffey said the new players will mean "many guys won't have a job on this team this spring. . . . There aren't even any coaches who were with us last year. There's going to be lots of adjustments."