After injury, Chen thriving in AFL

PEORIA -- Second baseman Yung Chi Chen never slides headfirst into a base anymore. He stopped doing that more than a year ago when an unsuccessful theft of second base, while playing for Double-A San Antonio, became more than just another out. His left hand hit the base so hard that it dislocated his left shoulder and caused damage to the labrum.

"The trainer told me never to slide headfirst again," he said. "I learned my lesson."

The first injury in Chen's baseball career had to be surgically repaired and it still causes him occasional discomfort. But his performance in the Arizona Fall League demonstrates that he's someone in the Mariners' organization worth watching closely.

"I think I am close to reaching the Major Leagues," the confident Chen said.

How close depends on what happens during the offseason. The Mariners are hoping to improve their starting pitching and might accomplish that goal via a trade. Not that incumbent Jose Lopez has been put on the trading block, but with Chen knocking on the door, dealing Lopez -- an American League All-Star in 2006 -- could become a real possibility.

"He can handle the bat, no question," said Greg Hunter, the Mariners farm director. "He has hit at every level he's played and done a nice job defensively. He does everything adequately and is going to get better the more he plays."

Chen didn't play much at all this past season -- only 15 at-bats in five games with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.

"We thought he would be able to play through [the sore shoulder], but he couldn't," Hunter said. "He ended up missing most of the season."

Chen, 23, was assigned to the Peoria Javelinas, of the Arizona Fall League, and he has held his own in the high class of competition. After his first 10 games, the 5-foot-11, 172-pound right-handed batter from Taiwan was hitting .389 (14-for-36) with one home run and eight RBIs.

"We figured the Fall League was a good place for him to make up for lost time," Hunter said.

"I was a little surprised they brought me here," Chen said. "There are a lot of good players here, the best players in the Minor Leagues. It's good for me because and I haven't played much this year and I have a lot of catching up to do."

The five months he spent recovering from surgery, which he had on April 19, has strengthened Chen's shoulder to the point where it doesn't hurt nearly as bad, or often, when he swings the bat.

"Sometimes it still feels sore," he said, "but the trainer told me that that's OK. I still exercise and ice it every day."

Still undecided: Several days after saying right fielder Jose Guillen probably would opt out of his $9 million mutual option with the Mariners, agent Adam Katz told the Seattle Times that he wouldn't close the door to Guillen's return next season.

"The Mariners are in play [and] everyone is receptive to discussions," Katz said. "I know he enjoyed his Seattle experience."

The feeling was mutual. The Mariners enjoyed the numbers Guillen put up -- .299 batting average, 23 home runs and 99 RBIs -- and were just as pleased with his clubhouse contributions.

But it still might come down to whether Guillen would settle for less than a three-year deal.

High on Felix: In his "Young Talent Inventory," noted baseball analyst Bill James names Felix Hernandez as the fifth-best player in the Majors under 29 years of age. The 21-year-old Mariners ace is the youngest player on the list.

James wasn't as kind to the Mariners overall, putting them 25th on the list for the best young talent in all of baseball. The ratings are included in "The Bill James Handbook 2008."

Turn back the clock: The hiring of Lee Elia as an on-field consultant adds another link to the team's halcyon days when competing for a playoff spot was a regular occurrence.

Elia, 70, said he was flattered to get back on the field in uniform. He and manager John McLaren were on former manager Lou Piniella's coaching staff from 1993-97 in Seattle and again in 2001-02 with the Devil Rays.

"He has a lot of experience," McLaren told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. "He knows how to get things done right, and that is a real plus. He's from the same school I'm from -- whatever you feel, speak up and bring it on. I value his judgment a lot. He's an old-school guy."