Acquiring, trading Lee pays off for Mariners

Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik still looks to have taken a smart risk in acquiring Cliff Lee last winter. He sent pitchers Phillipe Aumont and JC Ramirez and outfielder Tyson Gillies to the Phillies, and Justin Smoak and pitcher Blake Beaven are considered more valuable than that trio. …

With Lee off the market, teams could move fast to deal for Roy Oswalt, Ted Lilly and Javier Vazquez, considered the top available starters. The Cubs' apathy toward re-signing Lilly speaks of the climate change regarding the payroll. …

The Angels' confidence about replacing Kendry Morales has faded. They are searching frantically for a bat as they fade record distances behind the Rangers, who until Thursday had never had a division lead of more than 5 1/2 games. Cory Aldridge and Paul McAnulty were desperation additions from the farm system. Aldridge was last in the big leagues in 2001, which he says was "nine teams and four surgeries ago.'' …


Todd Helton's back is a wreck, forcing Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd to consider an unsentimental move to add a first base reinforcement. The Rockies have had only two full-time first basemen in their history — Helton and Andres Galarraga. …

Buster Posey gives the Giants a chance in the NL West race. He could be in the lineup every day, playing first base when he's not catching. …

Larry Parrish might not get another chance to manage a big-league team, but he should. He just became the winningest manager in Toledo Mud Hens history, surpassing the late Cal Ermer. …

Don't be surprised if the Nationals re-sign Adam Dunn. He hasn't been impressed by their offers to date, but the pressure to keep the popular first baseman in the middle of the lineup could prompt management to dig deeper. …

The Diamondbacks' Kirk Gibson became the seventh former MVP to manage in the big leagues. The others: Frank Robinson, Maury Wills, Ken Boyer, Joe Torre, Pete Rose and Don Baylor. …

A.J. Hinch ignored the Diamondbacks' off-the-chart strikeout totals, but Gibson has hitting instructor Jack Howell working with Mark Reynolds to make more contact. Arizona is on pace to break the record, set when Jose Hernandez led the Brewers to 1,399 in 2001. …

Slumping Brewer Ryan Braun must have been confused last week. Manager Ken Macha started him against Tim Lincecum and gave him a day off against lefty Barry Zito.