Tuesday, May 14, 2002
Reds meet with Shaw
By John Fay, jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MILWAUKEE — The Reds and Jeff Shaw want the same thing — whether the sides can get it done is the question.
Shaw and his agent, Joe Bick, met with Reds general manager Jim Bowden and assistant GM Doc Rodgers on Monday.
“It went great,” Bick said. “We had a good conversation. Both parties want the same thing. The Reds are competitive and winning. Jeff wants to be a part of that, and they want him to be part of it. We're going to explore making it fly.”
Money wasn't a topic of discussion Monday. But the two sides were far apart when negotiations broke off in spring training.
Bick proposed a deal that would have paid Shaw $1.5 million for this season with $4 million in deferred payments over 10 years. The Reds countered with a deal that would have paid Shaw $300,000 this season and $3 million in 2003.
Shaw, 35, saved 43 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. He became a free agent after the Dodgers didn't pick up his $7.5 million option.
Shaw made it clear he wanted to pitch for a team located closer to his Washington Courthouse, Ohio, home. The Reds, whom he pitched from 1996 to the 1998 All-Star break, have been his first choice.
Shaw also talked to Pittsburgh and Chicago Cubs. When deals could not be worked out, he opted for retirement.
Shaw has been running and throwing.
“Jim and Doc were amazed at the kind of shape Jeff is in,” Bick said. “But he hasn't had any spring training. He'd have to throw some more to get ready.”
Neither Bowden nor Rodgers could be reached for comment.
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Reds meet with Shaw
