Daly Getting Closer to a Deal With Beltre

The Adrian Beltre contract negotiations moved forward Wednesday with Dodger Chairman Bob Daly and agent Scott Boras discussing financial terms for the first time, and the club might reach an agreement with the third baseman today.

Although the Dodgers apparently have not made a formal offer, Daly and Boras focused on parameters of a proposed three-year deal during another two-hour meeting in Daly’s suite at Dodgertown. They also spoke for two hours Tuesday and had a lengthy meeting while traveling to Dodgertown aboard Daly’s jet Monday night, marking three productive sessions in as many days.

Boras would not discuss contract terms, and it was unclear whether Daly would comment after the negotiating session. The Dodger media relations office failed to contact Daly for a statement or to address requests for comment.

Boras has compared Beltre--through his first full season--favorably with players making at least $5 million a season.

Beltre made $220,000 last season while batting .275 with 15 home runs, 27 doubles and 67 runs batted in. The Dodgers could renew Beltre’s contract this season at whatever figure they choose today because he has less than three years’ service time.

Renewing Beltre, 20, with a one-year deal wouldn’t prohibit the sides from continuing negotiations. But Boras and Daly said previously that wouldn’t be a best-case scenario.

Agreeing to a deal before today’s renewal deadline would be beneficial for the Dodgers and Beltre, and Daly and Boras are scheduled for another round of talks.

“There are a lot of issues in this kind of situation to consider,” Boras said. “There’s more to it than just dollars and cents. I don’t know if there is an answer, but there is a willingness on both parts to address a resolution.”

Daly negotiated with Hollywood’s biggest stars while running Warner Bros. Studios for 20 years. He got his feet wet in the baseball arena while handling the Shawn Green negotiations in November, and Daly has said he wants to resolve the Beltre situation.

The Major League Players Assn. has filed a grievance on behalf of Beltre because Commissioner Bud Selig ruled in December that the Dodgers violated major league rules in signing him before his 16th birthday but permitted the ballclub to retain his rights. The union will withdraw the grievance if Beltre agrees to a deal.

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The Dodgers agreed to one-year contracts with rookie right-hander Eric Gagne and rookie left-hander Jeff Williams.

Gagne, 24, the organization’s top pitching prospect, will make $205,000. He is expected to make the starting rotation. Williams, 27, will make $202,500 and compete for a bullpen job. If he returns to the minor leagues he will make $38,100.