Baseball

All-Star catcher about to join A's

By wire services
Published November 25, 2004

PITTSBURGH - Three-time All-Star catcher Jason Kendall was close to being traded from the Pirates to the Athletics for two pitchers, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

The Pirates would get left-handed starter Mark Redman, who went 11-12 with a 4.71 ERA, and left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes, who was 3-3 with nine saves and a 5.12 ERA.

Kendall, 30, a California native, has a no-trade clause. His agent informed Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield on Wednesday that he would waive the clause to play for the A's, according to the AP.

Littlefield wouldn't confirm that a deal was nearly done, saying, "There's a lot of speculation about a variety of things."

Pittsburgh completed a deal with the soon-to-be Washington Nationals, acquiring minor-league outfielder Antonio Sucre for outfielder J.J. Davis, who was designated for assignment last week.

A career .306 hitter over nine seasons with Pittsburgh, Kendall has caught more games than any player in team history. The Pirates thought they had finalized a deal in January sending Kendall to the Padres for catcher Ramon Hernandez and third baseman Jeff Cirillo, but the trade fell through when Padres owner John Moores wouldn't approve it.

SHEFFIELD EXTORTION CASE: Federal authorities have seized a videotape believed to be at the center of an alleged blackmail attempt against Yankees slugger and Tampa native Gary Sheffield and his wife, a prosecutor said.

FBI agents found the tape during a search of suspect Derrick Mosley's Chicago home, Assistant U.S. Attorney Virginia Kendall said during Mosley's bond hearing. The government said last week that it didn't know whether the videotape existed.

Mosley was arrested last week, accused of asking Sheffield's business agent for $20,000 to destroy the tape that he claimed showed Sheffield's wife, gospel singer DeLeon Richards, having sex with a musician several years ago before her marriage.

TRACY RETURNS TO L.A.: Manager Jim Tracy agreed to a two-year contract with the Dodgers after negotiations that took longer than expected.

After Tracy guided Los Angeles to its first playoff berth since 1996, general manager Paul DePodesta said he hoped an agreement would be in place before general manager meetings began Nov. 9.

"Regardless of how long it takes, the most important thing is you end up with something that both sides can live with," Tracy said during a conference call. "I think that's where we got to. However long it takes to get it done, so be it."

DEAL ON HOLD: Damian Miller headed home still waiting for the Brewers to finalize his contract.

The Wisconsin native was in Milwaukee hoping to be introduced as the Brewers' starting catcher. But the club canceled its news conference after it couldn't complete its medical evaluation, the final step needed to finalize his $8.75-million, three-year deal.

The Brewers couldn't track down their medical personnel to evaluate an MRI exam on Miller's right (throwing) shoulder, a standard part of the physical. Team doctors also need to review the report and get back to general manager Doug Melvin with their evaluation.

D'BACKS: Former Rockies general manager Bob Gebhard was hired as assistant general manager. Manager Bob Melvin also filled out his staff, which will include newcomers Brett Butler as first-base coach, former Toronto manager Carlos Tosca as third-base coach and Mike Aldrete as hitting coach.

INDIANS: Free-agent closer Bob Wickman agreed to a $2.75-million, one-year deal to return to Cleveland, whose shaky bullpen without the right-hander early last season cost it any chance of winning the AL Central.

TWINS: Catcher Mike Redmond agreed on a $1.8-million, two-year contract, giving the club veteran insurance behind second-year player Joe Mauer.

WHITE SOX: Left-handed reliever Kevin Walker agreed to a $525,000, one-year contract.

[Last modified November 25, 2004, 00:12:21]