Winter meetings rumblings
The Mets are also working on deals that could give them more offense in the outfield. They're one of four teams talking to Kansas City about Johnny Damon, (Seattle, Tampa Bay and Atlanta are believed to be the three others).
Chances seem to be dwindling that the A's will trade outfielder Ben Grieve. Oakland GM Billy Beane said he'll only trade Grieve in a "special" deal. And deals for the two young starting pitchers they've targeted -- Cincinnati's Scott Williamson and Montreal's Tony Armas Jr. -- haven't come together.
The Phillies -- who are working on upgrading their bench -- reportedly outbid the Braves by more than $1 million on outfielder Dave Martinez, who still took Atlanta's offer of two years, for just under $3 million. The Phillies have turned their attention to two other free-agent outfielders -- Quinton McCracken and Brian Hunter. They're also expected to announce Monday that they've signed one-time Cubs phenom Kevin Orie to a minor-league contract.
The Cubs are believed to have agreed to a two-year, $6-million deal with pitcher Jason Bere. They're also talking to Mark Wohlers' agent, Seth Levinson -- agent for two of their other free-agent signings this winter, Todd Hundley and Jeff Fassero.
The Braves continue to explore possible trades involving Brian Jordan. His latest rumored destination: Baltimore.
The Reds have bowed out of the Mark Wohlers picture. There has been a lot of interest in the former Atlanta closer, with the Cubs and Indians among the favorites to sign him. The Reds continue to talk about deals involving Scott Sullivan, Scott Winchester and Dmitri Young, among others.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Mike Hampton's negotiations is the revelation Saturday that the Braves, one of the five finalists -- and the early favorite -- never made an offer.
"In a lot of respects," Rodgers said, "John Schuerholz has a different syle in these things. He was very upfront from day one that he was not going to negotiate within the realm of the four other teams. John really wanted us to come to them and say, 'We can get a deal done if you'll commit that we are the only club you're negotiating with.' But I felt that if we'd taken that approach, it wasn't fair to my client."
Sources said Arizona has reached a tentative agreement to extend Curt Schilling's contract through the 2004 season. Schilling, who could have been a free agent after next season, would get approximately $33 million for three years, plus reachable, appearance-based incentives.
Todd Hundley reportedly had at least one offer for more money than the four-year, $23.5 million deal he has tentatively agreed to with the Cubs, pending a physical. But Hundley's mother died this summer. And he found it impossible to turn down to play for the Cubs, who employ his father, Randy, as a coach.
Carl Everett made a surprise appearance at the meetings to visit agent Larry Reynolds. Everett eventually met with Red Sox manager Jimy Williams, for the first time since their celebrated rift -up in September. There was no immediate word on how much progress was made in repairing that damage. But there now are rumblings Boston could revive talk of trading Everett if it signs Ramirez.
That long-rumored Tigers-Twins trade that would have sent Matt Lawton to Detroit for Tony Clark is dead. Sources said the Twins decided they didn't want Clark.
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