Brown Tops Most-Wanted List at Meetings

With the Kevin Brown sweepstakes overshadowing the gathering, major league baseball executives open the winter meetings here today, hoping to fill their clubs’ remaining needs through trades and free-agent signings.

The competition for Brown, a free-agent right-hander, is the hottest item on the agenda of the five-day event at the Opryland Hotel. The Dodgers, Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals are most actively pursuing the former Padre ace, who is seeking a six-year deal in the $80-million-plus range.

Although Padre owner John Moores is seemingly unwilling to play in that neighborhood, the Padres may yet be a factor, and even teams that aren’t in the hunt are watching closely.

“Kevin Brown is obviously an incredibly talented pitcher who would help any team, and you’re going to have a lot of attention on him until he decides where he wants to go,” Dodger General Manager Kevin Malone said. “There are a lot of people waiting to find out what Kevin’s decision will be, and hopefully we’ll know something soon.”

Malone is scheduled to meet with Brown’s agent, Scott Boras, for the second time in three days when he arrives in Nashville today. But Malone and his Angel counterpart, Bill Bavasi, also have other work to do.

The Dodgers have had trade discussions involving Mark Grudzielanek and Jose Vizcaino, who is coming off ankle surgery, and one of the shortstops is expected to be moved. The Dodgers are also seeking left-handed help in the bullpen, and Malone always has his ears open for a blockbuster deal.

“There are several different ways we can go right now,” Malone said. “We’ve talked to several teams about potential deals, and I hope to talk with others about what needs they might still have, to see if we have any other good fits out there.”

Bavasi made the first big splash of the free-agent period, aggressively pursuing and signing former Boston Red Sox slugger Mo Vaughn to a six-year, $80-million deal. The player-personnel boss has finally convinced his superiors at the Walt Disney Co. that they must spend to win.

After striking out, along with Malone, in the pursuit of free-agent left-hander Randy Johnson, who signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Bavasi hopes Brown comes to town. He is also trying to get five-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens from the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Angels desperately need to improve their starting rotation, so Bavasi will be considering other deals for pitching.