01:00 AM EST on Thursday, December 8, 2005

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

DALLAS -- A familiar sight took place at the winter meetings yesterday: agent Scott Boras, extolling the virtues of a high-profile, free-agent client, surrounded by a swarm of reporters.

Yesterday, the player in question was Johnny Damon, who has has been offered a four-year, $40-million deal to remain with the Sox. But Boras indicated the situation is in flux.

"Where Johnny plays next season is very much up in the air," said Boras.

Boras said that he was negotiating with two other teams, which he declined to identify at the request of the clubs involved.

"On all fronts," Boras said, "with the Red Sox and other teams, we're moving along. Dialogue has been consistent daily -- all those things."

Asked what Damon was looking for in a new deal, Boras said: "Johnny's feeling is he wants to go to a competitive place and he wants an owner committed (to winning), and he wants to be given the respect for where he's at in his career."

Boras confirmed that Damon had quietly visited the Wyndham Anatole, the site of the winter meetings, on Tuesday, but declined to say which teams -- if any -- he met with. According to Red Sox officials, Damon did not meet with them.

Boras is attempting to heighten the Yankees' interest in his client -- a New York columnist with close ties to Boras was given access to Damon for a column yesterday.

"The Yankees need a center fielder," Boras said, "andsJohnny Damonsis the most proven guy (at the position) out there."

There were indications last night that the Los Angeles Dodgers were showing interest in Damon, though they might first have to find a taker for controversial outfielder Milton Bradley.

Picking their spots

Facing a midnight deadline, the Red Sox decided to offer salary arbitration to three of their own free agents while declining to do so on four others.

Offered arbitration: outfielder Johnny Damon; third baseman Bill Mueller; and second baseman Tony Graffanino.

Not offered arbitration were: first baseman Kevin Millar, pitcher Mike Myers, pitcher Matt Mantei and first baseman John Olerud. Olerud has said he plans to retire.

That means that the Sox can continue negotiating with Damon, Mueller and Graffanino. Last night, Mueller was close to agreeing to a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, meaning that the Sox will get a draft pick as compensation. The Sox' interest in Graffanino probably came to an end last night when they obtained second baseman Mark Loretta from the San Diego Padres.

It also means that the Sox have lost the right to negotiate with Millar, Myers and Mantei until May 1, effectively ending their Red Sox careers. Of the three, only Myers interested the Sox. But the club was fearful that, given the market for relievers this winter, the lefty specialist might have won an arbitration in the $2 million range. Myers has drawn interest from several teams and could well sign with the Yankees, especially now that his signing won't cost the Yankees a draft pick.

The inside scoop

A Chicago Cubs official scouting report on Jermaine Van Buren, obtained by the Red Sox from the Cubs last week for a player to be named later:

"I like him. He maybe wasn't as good (in 2005) as he was the year before. But I still like him. He throws hard -- in the low 90s -- he's not afraid and he's aggressive. I don't think he's a '4-A' guy (too good for Triple A; not good enough for the majors). But if he helps (the Red Sox), it would be as a 10th or 11th man on the staff."

Rule V applies

The annual Rule V draft is scheduled for this morning. With 37 players on their 40-man roster, the Sox have room to make a selection or two.

Last year, the team chose outfielder Adam Stern from the Atlanta Braves, and thanks to some injuries, were able to keep him either on the DL or the 25-man roster, as is required by rules.

Cook wins Conigliaro Award

The Red Sox announced that Colorado Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook is this year's recipient of the Tony Conigliaro Award, given annually to the player "who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage that were the trademarks of Tony C."

Cook missed parts of the 2004 and 2005 season after it was discovered that he had blood clots in his lungs. requiring several complicated surgical procedures. He returned to action in 2005 for the Rockies.

He will be presented the award on Jan. 12 at the annual Boston Baseball Writers Association dinner at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Tickets are $125 and are available at: BBWA, P.O. Box 7346, Nashua, N.H., 03060.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

CLEVELAND INDIANS: Agreed to terms with RHP Bob Wickman on a one-year contract.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS: Released RHP D.J. Carrasco.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS: Designated OF Jeff DaVanon for assignment.

SEATTLE MARINERS: Agreed to terms with LHP Jamie Moyer on a one-year contract.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS: Agreed to terms with OF Reed Johnson on a one-year contract.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

ATLANTA BRAVES: Traded C Johnny Estrada to Arizona for RHP Lance Cormier and RHP Oscar Villarreal.

CHICAGO CUBS: Agreed to terms with OF John Mabry on a one-year contract.

CINCINNATI REDS: Released LHP Randy Keisler. Agreed to terms with OF Jacob Cruz on a minor league contract.

FLORIDA MARLINS: Traded OF Juan Pierre to the Chicago Cubs for RHP Sergio Mitre, RHP Ricky Nolasco and LHP Renyel Pinto.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS: Agreed to terms with SS Rafael Furcal on a three-year contract.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES: Traded LHP Mark Redman to Kansas City for RHP Jonah Bayliss and a player to be named.

SAN DIEGO PADRES: Traded 3B Sean Burroughs to Tampa Bay for RHP Dewon Brazelton.