Sosa talking with Rangers

NEW YORK (AP) _ As dozens of players prepared to exchange salary figures with their teams, Sammy Sosa talked with the Texas Rangers about getting back in baseball. <br/><br/>``The workouts and subsequent

Tuesday, January 16th 2007, 6:24 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ As dozens of players prepared to exchange salary figures with their teams, Sammy Sosa talked with the Texas Rangers about getting back in baseball.

``The workouts and subsequent conversations have been positive. He seems committed to proving himself again _ made it clear he wants to contribute to a winning environment,'' Texas general manager Jon Daniels wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press after Sosa worked out for the Rangers on Monday in Arlington. ``We had good baseball discussion about our club, where he's at in his career, and whether there's a fit.''

Sosa, who hasn't played in the major leagues since 2005, had previously worked out for the Rangers in the Dominican Republic. Now 38, Sosa hit .221 two years ago with 14 homers and 45 RBIs in 102 games during his only season with the Baltimore Orioles.

Most of the focus was on players preparing for Tuesday's salary arbitration exchange. Florida pitcher Dontrelle Willis, the 2003 NL Rookie of the Year, settled with the Marlins on a $6.45 million, one-year contract, an increase of $2.1 million.

``I'm very happy,'' Willis said. ``How can you not be? I'm very appreciative to go out and have the opportunity to play baseball.''

Willis was married in December, and his wife is expecting a girl in May.

``It's a beautiful thing,'' he said. ``It's something you can't fathom, but you'd better get used to it.''

Willis went 12-12 last year with a 3.87 ERA in 223 1-3 innings for the Marlins, whose opening-day payroll was a major league-low $15 million. Miguel Cabrera, eligible for arbitration for the first time, could get a raise from $472,000 to the $6 million range.

Batting champions Joe Mauer and Freddy Sanchez, AL MVP Justin Morneau and pitcher Carlos Zambrano also were among those set to swap figures.

Among the 106 players who filed, at least 10 reached agreements by Monday night.

First baseman Lyle Overbay and Toronto finalized a $24 million, four-year contract.

``I knew we had a good thing, a great clubhouse. We signed Vernon Wells. That was a big part of it,'' said Overbay, who set career highs with a .312 average, 22 homers and 92 RBIs last season.

Wells, Toronto's Gold Glove center fielder, agreed last month to a $126 million, seven-year extension through 2014. General manager J.P. Ricciardi also has signed Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett, B.J. Ryan, Troy Glaus and Frank Thomas to multiyear contracts

``We think there is a core nucleus here that is built really for '07 to 10,'' Ricciardi said. ``We're just trying to keep as good a group together as we can.''

Outfielder Jason Michaels and the Cleveland Indians reached a preliminary agreement on a $4.25 million, two-year contract. Because he must pass a physical, Michaels will exchange figures with the team.

Catcher David Ross and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a $4.5 million, two-year contract.

Agreeing to one-year deals were Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Mark Hendrickson ($2,925,000), Oakland left-hander Joe Kennedy ($2.8 million), Houston infielder Mike Lamb ($2.7 million), Philadelphia right-hander Ryan Madson ($1.1 million), Texas right-hander Joaquin Benoit ($1.05 million), San Diego catcher Josh Bard ($1.05 million) and Cleveland reliever Matt Miller ($560,000).

Among free agents, utilityman John Mabry agreed to a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies that would pay him $750,000 if he is added to the 40-man roster.