Major League Baseball

Figgins-to-A's not likely to happen

Published Jan. 29, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

If the A’s were going to acquire Mariners third baseman Chone Figgins, it probably would have happened a month ago.

The A’s and Mariners discussed Figgins then, but the two sides never got close on a trade, according to a major-league source.

The teams spoke as recently as Wednesday, but again failed to reach agreement, another source said.

For now, the talks are dormant and unlikely to revive.

“Nothing is going to happen,” the first source said.

At issue: The amount of money the Mariners would have contributed toward the $26 million remaining on the final three years of Figgins’ contract, and the quality of prospects they would have received in return.

Both Figgins and Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik downplayed the possibility of a trade at the team’s annual fanfest on Saturday, according to the Associated Press.

“I've always said it's a great thing to be wanted but I want to win here,” Figgins said. “I'll always love playing here and like I said before this is where I want to be. Until they force me out of here this is where I'm going to be.”

Zduriencik also spoke firmly, saying that Figgins would be the Mariners’ third baseman on Opening Day.

“You have general managers talk, agents talk about players — I'm not referring to this particular situation, but the next thing you know, someone is putting two and two together and coming up with five,” Zduriencik said.

“That's where this whole thing is at," he added. “What it means, our plan when we open the season, Chone is going to be our third baseman.”

Figgins, 32, had a career-low .646 OPS last season in the first year of a four-year, $36 million contract. He batted .259/.340/.406 with one home run, 35 RBI and 42 stolen bases in 57 attempts.

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