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EV Tribune

D-Backs talks with Glaus continue

By Ed Price, Tribune

The Diamondbacks denied a Los Angeles radio report that they are about to sign power-hitting infielder Troy Glaus, but talks are active — and do not mean Arizona is giving up on re-signing Richie Sexson.
The D-Backs are expected to offer arbitration today to Sexson, keeping alive their chance to sign him until Jan. 8, and preserving draft-pick compensation if he signs elsewhere. But indications are Arizona's most recent offer was not palatable to the Sexson camp.

Glaus would be an alternative power source. From 2000-2002, he hit 118 home runs as Anaheim's third baseman. But he missed much of the past two seasons with shoulder injuries, eventually undergoing surgery last summer. He returned for the final five weeks but only as a designated hitter.

Arizona has offered Glaus a four-year contract.

“He's certainly on the top of the list,” said Ken Kendrick, one of the Diamondbacks’ controlling investors. “Under the right circumstances, we could have both players (Glaus and Sexson). I wouldn't bet on it, certainly.”

On the Randy Johnson front, little seems imminent. Arizona is methodically opening trade discussions with teams other than the New York Yankees, who pulled out of talks last week, perhaps as a ploy to get the D-Backs to ask for less.

“We won't go back to them (the Yankees),” an Arizona official said. “Things could change of course. I think it would be unlikely we would not hear from them.. . . We decided we'd listen to other people, and we're doing that.”

The Chicago White Sox are apparently not on the list. General manager Ken Williams said, “I've been told he won't pitch on the south side of Chicago,” according to The Associated Press.

Arizona must decide on arbitration offers to 10 free agents along with Sexson: infielders Carlos Baerga and Greg Colbrunn; outfielders Danny Bautista and Quinton McCracken; left-hander Jeff Fassero; and right-handers Mike Fetters, Matt Mantei, Shane Reynolds, Scott Service and Steve Sparks.

The D-Backs might re-sign none of them. McCracken apparently was not interested in a non-roster deal, and Bautista is expected to explore the market.

Any free agent not offered arbitration by today cannot be re-signed until May 1, but the player could also accept the offer and become a signed, arbitration-eligible player.

Today's deadline could spur activity in the free agent market, with former teams dropping out of the picture and compensation being determined.

“I think it's another milepost along the way in the offseason that helps teams clarify their thinking,” D-Backs general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said. “After offers or arbitration are extended or not, you know more than you knew.”

Gregg Clifton, the agent for free agent outfielder David Dellucci, did not return calls Monday. Based on reports, Arizona is the only team offering Dellucci a two-year deal and significant playing time.

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