FanHouse

Earlier today I reported that Ken Griffey Jr. expects to be traded and might welcome a return to Seattle, his original team. It seems Griffey's comments have caused something of a stir in Cincinnati, much to the exasperation of Griffey. From John Fay's blog for the Cincinnati Enquirer:

"OK, I said the exact same thing last year. The exact same thing. So why is it such a big story now?" Griffey said. "If I would have changed anything from last year, it would be a story. But I said the same thing."

The difference this time is that players could be traded soon, and Griffey has more control of his destiny, a reporter said. "I had control of it last year and the year before that. So why is it such a big deal?" Griffey said.

Griffey was asked if he would go somewhere else.

"That is not even...you guys are making more of an issue than I am," Griffey said.

I'm not sure why Griffey is so confused-- the fact that he's in the final year of his contract makes it far more likely that he'll finally be traded. He's making over $12 million this year -- there are only a handful of teams who could add that much to their payroll without having to think twice. But if they wait until after the All-Star break when they'd be on the hook for only half of that (and nothing beyond the end of the season), well, that's another story.