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Around the bases Vizquel set for payday; Sheffield, Thomas remain miffed
NEW YORK (AP) -- While Gary Sheffield and Frank Thomas still aren't happy with their contracts, Omar Vizquel is close to signing an extension with Cleveland and two Milwaukee sluggers got new deals Saturday. Sheffield made amends with his teammates, although he said he won't be happy if he starts the season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sheffield said he was misquoted in an article this week that attacked teammates Darren Dreifort, Eric Karros, Shawn Green, Kevin Brown and Carlos Perez. "Those who know me know I don't have to knock teammates," Sheffield said from Vero Beach, Fla. "It doesn't do anyone any good and it's not Gary Sheffield." Sheffield, who wants a contract extension, expects to be traded soon and expressed an interest in playing for the New York Yankees, Mets or Atlanta. He said there still was a possibility that he'd start the season with the Dodgers even though that would bother him. "Wearing this uniform I won't be happy, but I'll go out and do my job," he said. Thomas, looking for more money from the Chicago White Sox, skipped his fourth consecutive spring training workout in Tucson, Ariz. Manager Jerry Manuel said the team would prepare for the season without Thomas and use veteran non-roster invitee Harold Baines as a backup at first base and designated hitter. Manuel, who spoke with Thomas on Thursday, said he didn't know how long the two-time MVP would stay out. Players are required to be in camp Tuesday before they can be fined. "We have to do what we have to do to get ready without Frank. Harold is relishing the role taking ground balls at first. And Frank has to do what he has to do," Manuel said. Vizquel, who has grumbled in the past about being underpaid compared to other shortstops, said he is close to signing a contract extension with the Cleveland Indians. "The deal is almost done," he said after finishing his first spring training workout at Winter Haven, Fla. "I think in the next week or two something will get done. I'm real happy about it." Vizquel, who has won eight consecutive Gold Gloves, is signed through the 2002 season at $3 million a year. The salaries of other shortstops have skyrocketed since the contract Vizquel signed in 1995. During the offseason, Alex Rodriguez signed a $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers and Derek Jeter signed a $189 million to stay with the New York Yankees. Both deals are for 10 years. "My contract looks like a minor league deal compared to those," Vizquel said. "It's not like I'm making 3 cents. I get a good check, but it looks small compared to the others." Young sluggers Geoff Jenkins and Richie Sexson, the cornerstones of the Milwaukee Brewers' rebuilding efforts, each signed four-year contracts. Jenkins got $18 million and Sexson signed for $17.5 million. Jenkins, a left fielder who made $282,000 last season, and Sexson, a first baseman who made $247,000, are both 26 and would have been eligible for arbitration for the first time next year. They traded in the chance to hit the jackpot in year-to-year arbitration hearings for the security of knowing a bad season or an injury won't hurt their earning potential. "It's a confidence thing for this team to know they've got me and Richie locked up for four years," Jenkins said from Phoenix. "We both were excited about what's going on here and both saw that we wanted to be a part of it." Jenkins, a first-round draft pick by the Brewers in 1995, led the team with 34 homers last year despite missing three weeks with a broken finger. He also hit .303 with 94 RBIs. Sexson hit 30 homers with 91 RBIs between Cleveland and Milwaukee last season. The Brewers went 30-27 after Sexson's arrival via a trade with the Indians, giving them hope for a turnaround this season after eight consecutive losing years. At Fort Myers, Fla., Pedro Martinez felt fine after throwing off a mound for the first time in nearly five months. He threw 52 pitches, mostly fastballs. It was the first time he threw off a mound since last Sept. 26. "My arm is in good shape," Martinez said. "I didn't feel uncomfortable out there."
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