Ron

Villone

Villone is receiving plenty of interest because he’s left-handed, versatile and cheap. He hasn’t posted an ERA under 4.00 since 1997, but he has been decent each of the last two years.

“A two-year contract would be nice,” he said, “and I definitely would have to put Seattle on the top of the list.” Villone added that the Mariners recently made him an offer that is believed to be a one-year deal with a club option for a second year. The Yankees and A’s are also interested in the 34-year-old lefty.

Both have been offered one-year deals and Villone’s includes an option for 2006. Villone is hoping to get a guaranteed two-year deal.

Villone was 1-1 with one save and a 3.80 ERA in 21 1/3 innings for Tucson. As a lefty, he should be able to catch on with another team without too much of a problem.

Villone, who pitched for the Astros in 2001, could join the Houston bullpen later this season.

Other possibilities for Tampa Bay include Scott Sauerbeck, Mike Myers, Mark Guthrie, Armando Almanza, Trever Miller, Valerio De Los Santos, Pedro Feliciano and Mike Matthews.

He has yet to earn a victory, but with a 2.45 ERA and 16/5 K/BB ratio, Villone has impressed. His performance is likely to keep him around through the return of Roy Oswalt. Picking Villone up remains a high-risk, low-reward proposition.

The Mariners are overpaying again. There’s no reason to give the 34-year-old Villone a better deal than Mark Guthrie received from Pittsburgh.

Villone, who has come out of the bullpen to become the Mariners’ temporary fifth starter, will be on a pitch count (90 pitches) this evening.

Villone probably won’t make the Diamondbacks as a reliever.