Wetteland Talks Floundering
John Wetteland and Texas haven't been able to agree to a contract extension, so the Rangers might trade trade him before Monday's deadline.
Wetteland's agent, Adam Katz, said Friday that Rangers general manager Doug Melvin is exploring a deal.
Katz denied a report in Friday's Fort Worth Star-Telegram that said the Rangers proposed a $5 million salary for 2001 and a $4 million team option for 2002, but that Wetteland wanted $5 million next year with a $5 million team option.
"The financial terms in our negotiations are entirely between Doug and me," Katz said.
In 1996, the Rangers signed Wetteland to a four-year contract worth $23 million an annual average salary of $5.75 million.
"It's no secret that we would like to stay," Wetteland told the newspaper, referring to his wife, Michele, and their family. "But there's much more that goes into the equation."
Wetteland is eligible for free agency after this season.
"I did get the impression that they felt that John would take a heavily discounted deal to stay," Katz said. "But the reality is John wants an equitable deal and understands if he doesn't get it, he's likely to be traded and that's fine with him."
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