BASEBALL Blockbuster deal for A-Rod, Manny may still happen

Philadelphia's Kevin Millwood accepted the Phillies' salary arbitration offer.
NEW YORK (AP) -- While teams waited and wondered if Boston, Texas and Alex Rodriguez would strike a deal, other clubs and players made a flurry of moves Friday ahead of two big offseason deadlines.
Scott Boras, the shortstop's agent, said he would remain in New York until at least Saturday, trying to ascertain if the proposed swap of baseball's only $20 million-a-year players still had a chance. "I don't really have an indication," Boras said. "I just know they're talking."
Red Sox president Larry Lucchino, who said Thursday the proposed trade of Manny Ramirez for A-Rod had collapsed, insisted his team had stopped its efforts to acquire the shortstop.
"There really is nothing going on that I'm aware of. None of us have had any conversations with Texas," Lucchino said before leaving Boston for the holidays. "I'm on my way to visit family and hope to put this behind me."
Asked whether talks will continue with the Red Sox, owner John Henry gave an elliptical reply.
"Sorry ... nothing new to report," he said in an e-mail sent to The Associated Press.
Wants to stay in Philadelphia
Right-hander Kevin Millwood made the biggest announcement Friday, saying he had accepted the Philadelphia Phillies' offer of salary arbitration.
"I wanted to play in Philly. It wasn't a tough decision," Millwood said.
Millwood, who made $9.9 million in his first season with the Phillies, had been seeking a five-year contract worth about $15 million per season.
By accepting the offer, he is considered to be a signed player under baseball's rules. If the sides can't work out an agreement, his salary would be determined by an arbitration panel in February.
The Phillies already have added All-Star closer Billy Wagner, who will make $8 million in 2004, and starter Eric Milton, due to make $9 million.
Millwood will anchor a rotation that includes Randy Wolf, Vicente Padilla, Milton and Brett Myers.
Left-hander Gabe White was the second player to accept among the 25 free agents offered Dec. 7, returning to the New York Yankees. Players had until midnight Friday to accept the offers -- those who reject may re-sign with their old teams through Jan. 8.
Guillen, Angels agree
In other free-agent news, outfielder Jose Guillen finalized his $6 million, two-year contract with Anaheim, reliever Steve Sparks agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract with Arizona and right-hander Antonio Alfonseca settled on a one-year contract with Atlanta.
"This is the beginning of my new career, and I'm going to prove to everyone the kind of player I am," said Guillen, who went 5-for-11 against Boston in the playoffs despite playing with a broken left hand that required surgery on Oct. 8.
"Sometimes you have to play in pain and give it everything you've got. The hand is perfect now, and I can't wait to go to spring training."
Other teams looked ahead to Saturday, the last day to offer 2004 contracts to unsigned players on 40-man rosters -- making it the last day to cut players eligible for salary arbitration without owing money. Players not offered contracts become free agents Sunday.
Two other moves
Two teams announced their moves a day early. The Yankees didn't give contracts to outfielders Karim Garcia and David Dellucci, and Montreal didn't extend offers to right-handers Orlando Hernandez, Hector Almonte and Britt Reames.
Twenty arbitration-eligible players facing the tender deadline agreed to contracts Friday.
Outfielder Carlos Lee agreed to a $15 million, two-year contract with the Chicago White Sox, who gave an $800,000, one-year deal to left-hander Kelly Wunsch.
Infielder Wes Helms got a $4.5 million, two-year contract from Milwaukee, and left-hander Scott Eyre agreed to a $2.45 million, two-year contract with San Francisco.
The New York Mets agreed to a $1 million, two-year deal with utilityman Joe McEwing and an $850,000, one-year contract with outfielder Tino Perez.
The Chicago Cubs agreed to one-year deals with infielder Ramon Martinez ($900,000), catcher Paul Bako ($865,000) and utilityman Jose Macias ($750,000), acquired from the Expos earlier in the day for right-hander Wilton Chavez.
Florida agreed to one-year contracts with catcher Mike Redmond ($840,000), left-hander Michael Tejera ($425,000), outfielder Brian Banks ($400,000) and catcher Ramon Castro ($400,000).