David Wells Starting Pitcher Free Agent Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM W-L IP H K ERA 16 5-7 100.2 120 59 4.47

PHOENIX -- The World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks are on the brink of adding David Wells to their already potent rotation.

Wells needs to pass a physical exam, and other minor details need to be worked out. The 38-year-old left-hander's agent said Thursday the deal is 85-percent complete, and that Wells expects to sign a one-year deal loaded with incentives shortly after the new year.

"We hit it off well. He's happy. We're happy. We've agreed to agree," Diamondbacks owner Jerry Colangelo said Thursday. "There's some I's to dot and T's to cross and a physical to take. I fully expect him to be in a Diamondback uniform next year, and he's looking forward to it."

Wells would be the No. 3 starter behind Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, co-MVPs of Arizona's World Series triumph over the New York Yankees.

Wells was 5-7 with a 4.47 ERA in 16 starts for the Chicago White Sox this year. His season was cut short because of back surgery.

On Tuesday, Wells met with Colangelo in Phoenix, and they attended a Suns game that night. Diamondbacks first baseman Mark Grace joined them for a time at the game, and again later at the same pizzeria where Grace was courted as a free agent by Colangelo a year ago.

"I think I'm 6-for-6 at Pizzeria Bianco," Colangelo said.

Wells returned to his home near Tampa, Fla., and planned to meet with his old boss, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

But the pitcher's agent, Gregg Clifton, indicated Wells' mind already was made up.

"He's really pleased with the prospect of being the No. 3 starter for the world champions," Clifton said. "Nothing is finalized. We're close, but we're not done. There are still a few things that need to be worked out."

Colangelo sold Wells on the approach that helped build a World Series champion.

"It was the commitment to winning that Jerry Colangelo spoke about," Clifton said. "Jerry Colangelo spent 11 hours talking with David, eating with him, in meetings."

Known for his fondness for the nightlife, Wells said he has lost about 20 pounds during rehabilitation.

"A healthy David Wells could make a tremendous impact on any team," Colangelo said. "Certainly in a No. 3 starting role behind two horses like Johnson and Schilling, he's a perfect fit. So the real question is his health.

"He's on a very, very disciplined program in terms of conditioning," Colangelo said. "He's lost a lot of weight. He's focused."

As for Wells' penchant for life in the fast lane, Colangelo drew a laugh in a luncheon speech Wednesday when he said, "I told him Phoenix isn't New York. Little happens here that I don't hear about."

Wells, who pitched a perfect game for the Yankees in May 1998, has a 166-114 record and a 4.08 ERA in 15 major league seasons. In 19 postseason appearances, he is 8-1 with a 2.74 ERA, including victories in his last seven decisions.

Wells' age is no concern for an Arizona organization that has loaded its roster with players in the last years of big-time careers. Johnson is 38, Schilling 34.

"He won 20 games the season before last," Colangelo said. "If he's healthy, I think we're catching him on the rebound."

Manager Bob Brenly has said that Miguel Batista has earned a spot in the rotation with his performance as a part-time starter last season. Lefty Brian Anderson might get the last starting spot, although Todd Stottlemyre is trying to make a comeback from elbow surgery.