Phillips New Leadoff Man for A’s

In the first step in what may be an exchange of leadoff hitters, the Oakland Athletics agreed Friday to a one-year contract with outfielder Tony Phillips.

Rickey Henderson, the A’s leadoff hitter last season, has been negotiating with the New York Mets.

Phillips, 39, hit .354 in 13 games with Toronto last season before he was dealt to New York on July 31. With the Mets, he hit .223 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 52 games.

Phillips, who ranks fifth among active players with 1,248 walks, has a .267 career average and a .375 on-base percentage.

Phillips, unsigned at the start of last season, agreed to a minor-league contract with Toronto on July 1. He was arrested Aug. 10, 1997, at an Anaheim motel where police said he was trying to purchase $30 worth of cocaine. He later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor.

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Hoping that pitching will help them get in contention next season, the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a $1.5-million, one-year contract with Steve Avery.

The 28-year-old left-hander, a star with Atlanta from 1991-94, had spent the last two seasons with Boston, going 16-14.

“We’re trying to figure out how to win with payrolls in the $20-million range,” Cincinnati General Manager Jim Bowden said. “The best way to win is pitching and defense.”

Bowden also said there is a “99.9% chance” Barry Larkin and Denny Neagle will be with the Reds on opening day and won’t be traded. Bowden spoke Thursday with Larkin, who has spent his entire career with the Reds and wants to be traded to a high-payroll team. Larkin is signed for two more seasons.

“I understand why any player wants to be traded to one of the six teams with $60- to $80-million payrolls. I understand why every player with a multiyear contract wants to be traded so he can renegotiate,” Bowden said.

Avery joins a staff that includes Neagle, Pete Harnisch and Brett Tomko, all 10-game winners this year.

In addition to the base salary, Avery can earn $1 million in performance bonuses. He would get the entire amount if he makes 32 starts.

Avery get a $500,000 base salary for next season. There is a mutual option for 2000 at $3 million with a $1-million buyout.

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Saying that it was too early to consider negotiating a contract extension with Seattle, Alex Rodriguez’s agent said the all-star shortstop wants to make sure the Mariners contend.

Seattle could lose Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. to free agency after two more seasons, and the Mariners are said to want to negotiate contract extensions this winter, before the price goes up again.

Griffey will get $8.25 million in each of the next two seasons. Rodriguez gets $3 million in 1999 and $4.25 million in 2000.

“At the forefront of Alex’s concern in their ability to compete,” agent Scott Boras said. “If they’re not going to compete, his decision is affected.”

Seattle’s move from the Kingdome to a new retractable-roof ballpark in the middle of next season also is part of the equation. Boras sounded as if that might make the price go up.

“Those clubs that get new stadiums, we’re learning that it allows them to do things they could not do before,” he said.

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A man who got into a bar fight with New York Yankee pitcher David Wells two years ago lost a bid to get compensation for his injuries.

A San Diego Superior Court jury deliberated two hours before voting, 9-3, to declare neither Wells nor plaintiff Armand Trottier deserved a favorable ruling, ending the two-day trial.

Trottier was seeking $190 in lost wages and medical bills; $25,000 in compensation for emotional distress; and at least $130,000 in punitive damages.

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The Tampa Bay Devil Rays re-signed catcher John Flaherty to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Flaherty hit .207 last season with three homers and 24 RBIs.

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The Texas Rangers put infielder Domingo Cedeno on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.

Cedeno hit .262 with two homers and 21 RBIs in 61 games for the Rangers this year. He was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for first baseman Rafael Palmeiro.

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A bit hoarse and frail but saying he felt fine, former Cleveland Indian broadcaster and star pitcher Herb Score was released from a Cleveland hospital, two months after he nearly died in a car crash.

Score, 65, had been hospitalized since Oct. 8 when his car collided with a tractor-trailer New Philadelphia, about 80 miles south of Cleveland. Score was ticketed for failure to yield, and the case is pending.

Score suffered severe brain and chest injuries.