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The Diamondbacks must decide today to which of their 11 free agents to offer salary-arbitration rights, but the only player likely is first baseman Richie Sexson.
Sexson is expected to sign elsewhere, but by offering him arbitration the Diamondbacks would receive two high draft picks, including the first-round pick held by the team that signs Sexson to a deal.
Beginning Wednesday, teams won't forfeit draft picks when a player they chose not to offer arbitration signs with another club.
Arizona was considering offering arbitration to right fielder Danny Bautista, and still may decide to do so today. But if Bautista accepts the offer, it would hurt the club's aggressive pursuit of free agent David Dellucci, who could agree to a two-year deal as early as Wednesday.
Philadelphia and Florida have also offered the Texas Rangers' outfielder a two-year deal. Other teams interested in Dellucci include Colorado, Los Angeles and Texas.
Bautista could be close to a multiyear deal with Tampa Bay or Florida.
The Diamondbacks aren't expected to offer arbitration to free-agent pitchers Matt Mantei, Shane Reynolds, Steve Sparks, Mike Fetters, Jeff Fassero or Scott Service, nor are they likely to offer it to position players Carlos Baerga, Greg Colbrunn and Quinton McCracken.
A few of those players, namely McCracken and possibly Colbrunn, could end up back with the organization. Arizona could be willing to offer them minor league deals with an invitation to camp and a chance to win a spot on the 40-man roster.
The Diamondbacks plan to have a face-to-face meeting this week with free-agent shortstop Royce Clayton and his agent, Rick Licht. Arizona would forfeit a second-round pick to the Rockies, Clayton's former team - if Colorado offers him arbitration, he declines and then signs here.
Players have until Dec. 19 to decide to accept arbitration. If a player declines and by Jan. 8 still hasn't re-signed with his old team, that club loses its ability to negotiate and sign the player until May 1.
Arizona also has offers on the table for free-agent pitcher Russ Ortiz of the Atlanta Braves and free-agent third baseman Troy Glaus of the Anaheim Angels.
Randy rumors
Alan Nero, one of the agents for pitcher Randy Johnson, said Monday that he didn't know of any movement on the Diamondbacks' part to deal the five-time Cy Young Award winner, adding he hasn't heard from club officials in recent days.
The Yankees reportedly ended trade talks last week with the Diamondbacks - at least for the time being - after Arizona was alleged to have asked for multiple players and cash for the left-hander.
The Diamondbacks were said to have requested pitchers Javier Vazquez and Tom Gordon, pitching prospect Brad Halsey, $18 million in cash, and at least one pitcher from another team that the Yankees could acquire and then flip to Arizona.
Anaheim, St. Louis and Boston are also said to be interested in acquiring Johnson, 41, who has one year remaining on his contract at $16 million - $6 million of which is deferred for five years.
The Diamondbacks must decide today to which of their 11 free agents to offer salary-arbitration rights, but the only player likely is first baseman Richie Sexson.
Sexson is expected to sign elsewhere, but by offering him arbitration the Diamondbacks would receive two high draft picks, including the first-round pick held by the team that signs Sexson to a deal.
Beginning Wednesday, teams won't forfeit draft picks when a player they chose not to offer arbitration signs with another club.
Arizona was considering offering arbitration to right fielder Danny Bautista, and still may decide to do so today. But if Bautista accepts the offer, it would hurt the club's aggressive pursuit of free agent David Dellucci, who could agree to a two-year deal as early as Wednesday.
Philadelphia and Florida have also offered the Texas Rangers' outfielder a two-year deal. Other teams interested in Dellucci include Colorado, Los Angeles and Texas.
Bautista could be close to a multiyear deal with Tampa Bay or Florida.
The Diamondbacks aren't expected to offer arbitration to free-agent pitchers Matt Mantei, Shane Reynolds, Steve Sparks, Mike Fetters, Jeff Fassero or Scott Service, nor are they likely to offer it to position players Carlos Baerga, Greg Colbrunn and Quinton McCracken.
A few of those players, namely McCracken and possibly Colbrunn, could end up back with the organization. Arizona could be willing to offer them minor league deals with an invitation to camp and a chance to win a spot on the 40-man roster.
The Diamondbacks plan to have a face-to-face meeting this week with free-agent shortstop Royce Clayton and his agent, Rick Licht. Arizona would forfeit a second-round pick to the Rockies, Clayton's former team - if Colorado offers him arbitration, he declines and then signs here.
Players have until Dec. 19 to decide to accept arbitration. If a player declines and by Jan. 8 still hasn't re-signed with his old team, that club loses its ability to negotiate and sign the player until May 1.
Arizona also has offers on the table for free-agent pitcher Russ Ortiz of the Atlanta Braves and free-agent third baseman Troy Glaus of the Anaheim Angels.
Randy rumors
Alan Nero, one of the agents for pitcher Randy Johnson, said Monday that he didn't know of any movement on the Diamondbacks' part to deal the five-time Cy Young Award winner, adding he hasn't heard from club officials in recent days.
The Yankees reportedly ended trade talks last week with the Diamondbacks - at least for the time being - after Arizona was alleged to have asked for multiple players and cash for the left-hander.
The Diamondbacks were said to have requested pitchers Javier Vazquez and Tom Gordon, pitching prospect Brad Halsey, $18 million in cash, and at least one pitcher from another team that the Yankees could acquire and then flip to Arizona.
Anaheim, St. Louis and Boston are also said to be interested in acquiring Johnson, 41, who has one year remaining on his contract at $16 million - $6 million of which is deferred for five years.
