http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2005/07/09/SPGSVDKMF91.DTL
A'S REPORT
Payton's agent shoots down Boston trade for Bradford
Susan Slusser
Saturday, July 9, 2005
Chicago -- Craig Landis, the agent for outfielder Jay Payton, said Friday that, contrary to newspaper and radio reports in Boston, he was informed that no deal has been consummated between Boston and Oakland that would send his client to the A's in exchange for reliever Chad Bradford.
"What I understand is that the Red Sox are talking to the A's, but as of an hour ago, those reports were false -- no deal has been completed," Landis said. "I talked to the Red Sox front office and they said they were still talking to more than one team.
"Even if there were a trade, I guess it would be contingent on Bradford passing a physical, and when I specifically asked if that was the case, (the Red Sox) said no. I have to take the Red Sox at their word that there is no deal in place."
The Boston Globe, the Providence Journal and ESPN's Peter Gammons all reported that Payton was heading to Oakland for Bradford. The A's front office has declined to comment.
Payton was designated for assignment Thursday after a run-in with Boston manager Terry Francona over playing time. If the A's were to obtain Payton as a fifth outfielder, his at-bats might not increase all that much.
"Jay would like to go somewhere and play more," Landis said. "He's a good outfielder and he wants to play on a regular basis or at least compete for a job. He'd like to go somewhere there aren't three dominant outfielders."
Should the A's move on this deal and choose not to stick with five outfielders, it's possible they could flip Payton to another club, perhaps as part of a package. The Cubs and Rockies, among others, have been mentioned as teams with interest in Payton.
Payton is earning $3.5 million this year and has a team option for $4 million next year with a $500,000 buyout. The Red Sox received $2.65 million from the Padres in order to pay Payton's contract when they obtained him from San Diego last winter, but it's unclear if the savings would be passed along to Payton's next team.
"My understanding is that would be negotiable," Landis said.
It's possible that to make room for Payton, the A's could trade Eric Byrnes, who made a rare start against a right-handed starter on Friday in Chicago.
Briefly: The A's signed second-round draft pick Craig Italiano, a right- handed pitcher from Flower Mound (Texas) High School. Italiano is expected to be assigned to the A's Rookie League team in Arizona. ... Macha said that DH Erubiel Durazo took batting practice the past two days in Phoenix and looked fine, according to the reports he received. Durazo, who has elbow tendinitis, will remain in Arizona through the All-Star break.
