Matt Lawton, Roberto Petagine on Trading Block

Seattle is shopping OF Matt Lawton and 1B Roberto Petagine in an effort to find help up the middle, and soon. With Jose Lopez playing second and Yuniesky Betancourt playing short, the team basically has only Willie Bloomquist to back up both positions. The Mariners would trade either Lawton or Petagine, not both. Lawton, 34, who has starting potential for other clubs, is regarded as somewhat superfluous as a backup to switchhitting Carl Everett. The team already has 26-year-old Joe Borchard as an outfield sub. Petagine, 33, is largely thought of as primarily a pinch hitter and spot starter with power potential, a valuable spare part but still just a spare part. Among others, veteran pivot man Tony Womack of the Reds will be eyed by the Mariners over the next two weeks. Womack has become expendable in Cincinnati with the Reds acquisition of one-time super prospect Brandon Phillips, formerly with Cleveland. Womack's roster spot will be taken by Ken Griffey Jr. when Griffey comes off the DL on May 28, and the Reds would like something in exchange for Womack to avoid having to release him and eat his guaranteed $1.5 million contract.