The Reds avoided arbitration with Sean Casey by signing him to a one-year, $4million deal.

        But they were unable to reach a deal with pitcher Pete Harnisch. The Reds had until midnight to reach a deal with Harnisch, or they would not be able to sign him until May 1.

        “I've talked to his agent, Greg Clifton, several times,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said Tuesday night.

        Harnisch, reached at his home in Lake Mary, Fla., 90 minutes before the deadline, said there was little chance of reaching an agreement.

        The Reds offered Harnisch a base salary of $500,000 with up to $1.5 million in incentives Dec.23. Harnisch countered with a proposal for $1.75 million and up to $250,000 in incentives.

        Neither side had moved off its original proposals until Tuesday when the Reds raised the incentive portion of the deal.

        “I wanted to come back,” Harnisch said. “I was looking forward to it, but we couldn't get it right. I didn't think the offer was fair, and they didn't come off it much.”

        The Reds are reluctant to increase the base salary because Harnisch has struggled with injuries the last two years. Harnisch, 35, was limited to seven starts last year. He had season-ending elbow surgery Aug.8. But he says he is throwing pain-free and expects to be 100 percent by spring training.

        The signing of Casey leaves the Reds with four remaining arbitration-eligible players: third baseman Aaron Boone, outfielder Juan Encarnacion and right-handed pitchers Danny Graves and Scott Williamson.

        Casey, 27, made the All-Star Game for the second time last year. He hit .310 with 13 home runs and 89 RBI. He led the Reds in games (145), hitting, runs (69), hits (165), doubles (40) and RBI.

        Bowden said the Reds continue to talk about a multiyear deal with Casey's agent, Ron Shapiro. The Reds probably will make a proposal to Casey once a new labor agreement is reached and the team has a handle on its revenue stream.
       “We're very pleased to get a one-year deal done,” Bowden said. “We'll continue to talk. But, in any case, we have him through the 2004 season (when he becomes a free agent).”

Ozzie makes Hall; can Larkin? Reds sign Casey, but talks with Harnisch fail Road to Hall could be uphill for Larkin Baseball notebook

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