Agents for first baseman Mike Sweeney arrived Wednesday for negotiations with the Royals on a new contract, according to a report in Thursday's Kansas City Star.

General manager Allard Baird told the Star he'd talked by phone and in person with Sweeney representatives Seth Levinson and Keith Miller.

"When you have a moment to go face-to-face and negotiate, you should do that," Baird said. "The No. 1 priority for the Royals and me is to negotiate and make sure Mike Sweeney is with the Royals for a long, long time."

Sweeney has said he doesn't want contract negotiations to distract teh team. He's in the final year of his contract and will be paid $8 million this season.

He set a deadline of Monday for wrapping up contract talks. Monday is Opening Day.

"I'll have plenty of comments, one way or the other, in a few days," he told the Star.