Attorney: Gonzalez Likely to Veto Trade to Expos

The Montreal Expos reached agreement Tuesday to acquire two-time American League most valuable player Juan Gonzalez from Texas -- but his attorney said the outfielder probably would reject the trade.

Montreal General Manager Omar Minaya, who has a long history with Gonzalez, was to meet with the slugger today in Texas. Gonzalez has 72 hours -- beginning today at 7 a.m. PDT -- to exercise his no-trade clause.

Gonzalez, 33, was not in Texas’ lineup Tuesday night at home against Oakland. He declined to comment before the game.

“After some thought and reflection, Juan is going to stand by his no-trade clause and reject the trade to Montreal -- in all likelihood,” attorney Jeff Moorad said in Arlington, Texas.

Minaya could find ways to persuade Gonzalez to take the deal -- perhaps cash for accepting or maybe an adjusted contract. Minaya is credited with helping develop Gonzalez for the Rangers in the mid-1980s, when he coached the Gulf Coast Rangers for three years.

Texas is expected to receive prospects, probably three of them, if Gonzalez goes to Montreal.

Gonzalez is in the second year of a $24-million, two-year deal he signed to return to Texas before the 2002 season. He is batting .286 with 18 home runs and 50 runs batted in.

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San Francisco rookie right-hander Kurt Ainsworth could be out for the season because of a broken right shoulder blade discovered by team doctors Tuesday.

Ainsworth, 5-4 with a 3.82 earned-run average in 11 starts, won’t be allowed to throw for at least four to six weeks, and rehabilitation could take another month or more.

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Outfielder Gabe Kapler signed a minor league contract with Boston.

Kapler has not played since being released by Colorado on June 19. He is a career .270 hitter with 51 home runs in parts of six seasons.