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This week, Floyd's in Boston

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Cliff Floyd was traded for the second time in three weeks, with the Montreal Expos sending the power-hitting outfielder to Boston on Tuesday night for minor-league pitchers Seung Jun Song and Sun Woo Kim.

Floyd, an All-Star last season, is eligible to become a free agent after the season. He is being paid $6.5-million this season.

Floyd homered Tuesday night for the Expos, who acquired him after the All-Star break from Florida.

Montreal also gets a player to be named.

Floyd spent his first four seasons in Montreal. After hitting .287 with 18 homers and 57 RBIs with Florida, he was dealt back to the Expos on July 11 and struggled in his second stint.

At the time, Floyd said he welcomed a return to Montreal, but the 29-year-old wasn't able to generate similar numbers. He left Florida as the last remaining member of the Marlins' 1997 World Series championship team.

Hours before the trade was completed, Boston manager Grady Little acknowledged the team's interest in Floyd.

"We're not going to deplete our minor-league system totally to get a hold of a player here for six weeks," Little said.

But when asked if Floyd would represent a worthwhile risk, he didn't hesitate.

"He's one player where it could make a lot of sense," Little said. "He's got a lot of sock. This guy can hit."

LABOR TALKS: Another day at the bargaining table produced only slight progress for players and owners, who still appear headed toward the sport's ninth work stoppage since 1972.

Negotiators met twice for a total of about 31/2 hours. The primary topic of the first session was revenue sharing, with owners wanting a large increase in the locally generated money shared by all teams. Management also wants a new formula that would be less favorable to the clubs with the highest and lowest revenue.

Union head Donald Fehr said the union's executive board is likely to hold a conference call next week and could hold a meeting the week of Aug. 12. A strike date could be set then, and dates from mid August to mid September have been mentioned for a walkout.

BIDDER OPTIMISTIC: The leader of northern Virginia's effort to land a major-league franchise still thinks a team could be moved to the area for next season. "Absolutely we believe there is still an opportunity" to take ownership of a club by 2003, William Collins said.

A'S: Oakland acquired left-hander Ricardo Rincon from the Indians for minor-league infielder Marshall McDougall. ... Third baseman Eric Chavez missed the game against Cleveland with a mild hamstring problem and is likely to miss today's game as a precaution.

CUBS: Right-hander Mark Prior was hit on the right leg by a batted ball and left in the seventh.

ORIOLES: Right-hander Pat Hentgen, sidelined since having elbow replacement surgery in August, pitched six innings in a simulated game at the minor-league complex in Sarasota.

TWINS: Centerfielder Torii Hunter sat with a strained left hip flexor. Bobby Kielty replaced him.

WHITE SOX: Third baseman Joe Crede, long considered one of the team's top prospects, and catcher Josh Paul were recalled from Triple-A Charlotte.

YANKEES: Right-hander Roger Clemens, out with a groin injury, will make one more rehabilitation start, either Thursday for Double-A Norwich or Friday at Class A Tampa.

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