See how this plays out....

ProspectInsider.com had a report that Jim Slaton had been named the new Mariner pitching coach, which would have been weird. Because he was just let go as Seattle's bullpen coach.

The chuckle coming back over the phone told the story of who isn't about to be named Mariners pitching coach.

Former bullpen coach Jim Slaton, let go by the team two weeks ago, said today that he has certainly not been re-hired by the Mariners. A report today on Prospectinsider.com, a popular Seattle baseball Internet site, stated that Slaton was about to be announced as the team's new pitching coach.

"That's news to me,'' Slaton said, laughing as the report was read to him over the phone. "It's not going to happen, I can tell you that.''

But, now there is this from PI.com at the top of the breaking news part of the site...Accompanied by a 1977 baseball card:

Colborn, Not Slaton?

The confusion might be over. Might. It appears that Jim Colborn is the guy the M’s have hired as their new pitching coach, not Jim Slaton. The conflicted reports were at least partially caused by the possibility that the two Jims are represented by the same group. At least that was a possibility brought to my attention late this afternoon.

There was nothing in the Seattle Times or at the main Mariner site this morning. How does that go? Developing....