"I think one reason we're such a popular team here," Piniella said, "is that we've got so much good young pitching. And that's probably what has been pursued here more than anything else."

It's believed the Mariners would trade three of those young pitchers to the Phillies for Rolen. One baseball person said Seattle had offered Joel Pineiro, Jose Paniagua and Ryan Franklin. But the Phillies also are actively talking with the Cardinals and Orioles. And if they get only pitching back for Rolen, they would attempt to make a companion trade somewhere else, packaging some of their own pitching prospects to fill hitting needs.

So Seattle has kept a possible deal alive on Cirillo, whose four-year, $29-million contract extension with Colorado doesn't even kick in until 2002. The Rockies are also believed to be looking for a package headed by Pineiro.

And there's always a chance the Mariners could just re-sign their incumbent third baseman, David Bell, as a free agent.

"We've got some options," Piniella said. "I don't know how things will shake out. But I think that situation will resolve itself here over the next day or two."

That multi-tiered plan to cover third base is typical of the way GM Pat Gillick has approached this offseason. Gillick is renowned for laying out multiple options all over the field. Hence his juggling act with Boone, Reese and others at second in one hand, while he's juggling outfield possibilities in the other.

Earlier in the offseason, the Mariners seemed to be targeting potential leadoff hitters in Lofton, Damon and Cedeno. That would have enabled them to hit Ichiro Suzuki in the middle of the lineup to better utilitize his 242 hits. ("He can shoot for 245 or 246 next year," Piniella quipped.)

But the pursuit of White was a sign the Mariners have changed their strategy. And Piniella said Wednesday he is "very happy with where Ichiro's at (in the lineup). I think we're better served leaving him in the leadoff hole and adding to the middle (of the order) ourselves."

Then there's Schmidt, who, with Chan Ho Park, looms as the most attractive starter on the free-agent shelves. Schmidt has been looking for $10 million to $11 million a year for four of five years. But if he is willing to take fewer years, Seattle could reel him in quickly.

"We lost Aaron Sele," Piniella said. "So I'd like to add to the top of the rotation."

The glow of this season's magic-carpet ride hasn't worn off yet. But the way it all ended, with a five-game postseason wipeout by the Yankees in the ALCS, has left the Mariners with the almost-impossible challenge of trying to improve on one of the greatest seasons of modern times.

Seasons like that are fun and all. But that premature playoff exit left this team with a sense of unfinished business.

"Yeah, we feel that way," Piniella said. "The only difference is, we're going to have probably a 25-percent turnover in our roster. Our nucleus will be there. But we've still got to put it together in the spring. So if we'd have left our team untouched, you could say that more easily. Still, I know that for myself and the coaching staff and the veteran players we have, we'd like to take it a little further."

To extend that road a little further, however, you don't wait until April to drive up the entrance ramp. You begin that journey in the lobby and club suites of the winter meetings. And unlike many teams hanging around that lobby, the Seattle Mariners are traveling down that road with their pedal to the metal.

Jayson Stark is a senior writer for ESPN.com.