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Evans in Race With Mariners, Yankees for Boone

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Times Staff Writer

General Manager Dan Evans worked late into the night Wednesday, attempting to close a deal that would bring Cincinnati All-Star third baseman Aaron Boone to the Dodgers.

“Well, it’s fair to say that it has been a busy day and night,” Evans said from Dodger Stadium during a break in trade discussions.

“A lot can happen at this time of year, and I like to have as many conversations as possible to identify what’s out there.”

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Evans apparently had many conversations about Boone.

Although the Dodgers do not comment on trade talks, two baseball executives familiar with the team’s aggressive pursuit of Boone said Evans focused Wednesday on a deal to get the former Villa Park High and USC standout.

The Dodgers were in a three-team race with the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees for Boone, who emerged at the top of many playoff contenders’ wish lists with the non-waiver trading deadline today.

The Dodgers apparently offered the Reds at least one of their top lower-level pitching prospects and cash to get Boone, batting .273 with 18 home runs and 65 runs batted in. However, a Dodger official said Evans rebuffed the Reds’ attempts to include double-A right-hander Edwin Jackson -- considered the team’s top prospect -- in the proposed multiplayer deal.

Boone, 30, would take over at third for the disappointing Adrian Beltre, who a source said might be traded to the Yankees if they finish behind the Dodgers or Mariners for Boone. Beltre was not expected to be part of the Dodger offer for Boone.

Boone and Beltre each have salaries of $3.7 million this season, are eligible for arbitration and can become free agents after the 2004 season. Beltre, accustomed to being mentioned in trade speculation, appeared unfazed by the news about Boone.

“I’ve said I want to be here, but it’s not up to me,” he said. “If they’re going to trade me, if they don’t want me, there’s nothing I can do. What can I do?”

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There were conflicting reports about whether the Mariners were negotiating a multiyear contract with the agent of Boone, whose brother Bret is Seattle’s All-Star second baseman.

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President Bob Graziano and Derrick Hall, senior vice president, are scheduled to leave today for a baseball goodwill trip to Japan.

Tampa Bay Buccaneer owner Malcolm Glazer, in negotiations to purchase the Dodgers, also recently traveled to Japan with the Super Bowl champions, but Hall said Graziano does not plan to meet with Glazer.

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Batting instructor Jack Clark has come under fire because of the team’s inept offense and his candid comments about the situation.

“You do the best you can with where we’re at, and what’s been given to you,” said Clark, expected to be fired after the season. “I’d like to do more, I’d like to say more, but that’s not part of the job that’s required [of him].”

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Searching for offense, Manager Jim Tracy continued to find at-bats for productive utility player Jolbert Cabrera, who made his first career start at first base in Wednesday’s 4-2 loss to the Phillies. Cabrera went one for four, was involved in two successful pickoff plays and appeared comfortable on defense.

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“Jolbert Cabrera is going to play,” Tracy said. “When you’re searching for offense the way we are right now ... he’s going to be out there.”

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