Hamilton close to deal with Cardinals

ST. LOUIS -- Right-hander Joey Hamilton is close to signing a one-year contract with the Cardinals, whose bullpen has several vacancies.

Hamilton was 4-10 with a 5.27 ERA in 124 2/3 innings last year with the Cincinnati Reds and rejected a salary arbitration offer from the team. He appeared in 39 games, including 17 starts, after making the team as a non-roster player in spring training.

The Cardinals did not immediately return telephone calls seeking comment. A baseball source with knowledge of the negotiations, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Monday that a deal had been nearly finalized.

St. Louis did not offer contracts to right-handed relievers Dave Veres and Rick White, and traded a third right-hander, Luther Hackman, to San Diego in a deal for Brett Tomko. The Cardinals also did not make an offer to right-handed starter Jamey Wright.

St. Louis' rotation includes Matt Morris, Woody Williams, Jason Simontacchi and Tomko. The Cardinals still are negotiating with left-hander Chuck Finley, who declined salary arbitration, and recent free-agent pickup Chris Carpenter could return from shoulder surgery in July.

Hamilton, a first-round draft pick of the Padres in 1991, had shoulder surgery after the 1999 season and struggled the next two seasons. He earned the opening-day start with the Reds last year after a strong spring training, compiling an 0.69 ERA in four appearances.

He was impressive early, going 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA in seven starts. His season went downhill after he tore his left hamstring on May 5.