PHOENIX - Jose Vidro is close to signing a $30-million, four-year contract extension with the Expos.
"Last week, everything worked out very good," the second baseman said Friday night. "It should be done pretty soon."
Vidro, eligible for free agency after the season, told his agents this year not to call unless the deal was completed. The sides have agreed on the dollars but are still negotiating language.
Vidro, a three-time All-Star, has spent his entire seven-year career in Montreal.
Meanwhile, Portland, Ore., officials outlined a financing plan that would provide $340-million toward a new ballpark to try to lure the Expos.
The plan nearly meets the projected $350-million cost of a ballpark. Baseball officials have said they want stadium financing in place before deciding where to relocate the team.
The Expos were purchased by the 29 other teams before the 2002 season. Portland is competing with Las Vegas; Monterrey, Mexico; Norfolk, Va.; Northern Virginia; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Washington, considered the favorite.
A man whose company has tried to move the Expos to San Juan says his group now is interested in acquiring the Braves. Charles Vaughn, an Atlanta investor who helped form the cable network SportSouth USA, said Time Warner Inc., the Braves' owner, has not been contacted.
PRIOR GETS DEGREE: Already a multimillionaire, Mark Prior was determined to return to college and get his degree.
The Cubs right-hander not only received his bachelor's degree from Southern California, he addressed his fellow business school graduates.
"Greg Maddux told me (Thursday), "Boy, you are overqualified for this job.' You think I'm proud of that comment? You bet I am," Prior said during his brief speech.
UMP HURT: Third-base umpire Randy Marsh left the game between the Rangers and Tigers with an apparent leg injury in the bottom of the first. It was unclear how Marsh got hurt.
ASTROS: Manager Jimy Williams served a one-game suspension and was fined an undisclosed amount for a tirade against umpires during a game in Atlanta on May 8.
GIANTS: Leftfielder Barry Bonds was held out with back spasms.
MARINERS: Bret Boone and manager Bob Melvin decided this week to give the second baseman three days off to rest his aching left hip. After two days, Boone was thinking about trying to talk his way back into the lineup, but he wised up when he got to the park and missed his third straight start. "I'm trying as good as I can to be smart about this," he said.
METS: Left-hander Al Leiter will miss his scheduled start Sunday because of tendinitis in his pitching shoulder.
PHILLIES: Left-handed closer Billy Wagner went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 7 with a strained left groin.
PIRATES: Manager Lloyd McClendon was suspended for the game against San Francisco after being ejected Sunday for arguing balls and strikes in a game against Los Angeles.
YANKEES: Catcher Jorge Posada had the bandage removed from his broken nose, and much of the swelling had subsided, but he remained out of lineup. Posada, injured by a throw while trying to break up a double play Wednesday against Anaheim, said he expected to sit out today's game, too.
