PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks are close to a deal with first baseman Mark Grace, and his agent says it could be for more than one year.

Arbitration roundup

Accepted arbitration Terry Adams, Phillies Greg Maddux, Braves Reached agreement Ricky Ledee, Phillies Brian Meadows, Pirates Antonio Alfonseca, Cubs Todd Pratt, Phillies Rejected arbitration (Must re-sign with team before Jan. 8 or cannot join before May 1) Brian Anderson, Diamondbacks Ricky Bottalico, Phillies Darren Bragg, Braves Dave Burba, Indians Roger Clemens, Yankees Greg Colbrunn, Diamondbacks Ron Coomer, Yankees Chuck Finley, Cardinals Cliff Floyd, Red Sox Julio Franco, Braves Mark Grace, Diamondbacks Joey Hamilton, Reds Keith Lockhart, Braves Terry Mulholland, Indians Jose Rijo, Reds

Grace declined Arizona's offer of arbitration on Thursday, a formality as the two sides negotiate a new deal. The other two Diamondbacks free agents offered arbitration -- left-hander Brian Anderson and pinch-hit specialist Greg Colbrunn -- also declined it.

Grace, 38, had indicated during the season he had a handshake deal with Diamondbacks managing general partner Jerry Colangelo to play one more season for Arizona at a considerable cut in pay, then join the Diamondbacks' broadcasting team.

But agent Barry Axelrod said Thursday night that Grace might end up signing for more than a year.

"Mark thinks he can still play for awhile,'' Axelrod said. "Mark's one of those guys who's going to have to have the uniform torn off of him.''

Ledee agrees to one-year deal with Phillies
PHILADELPHIA -- Utility outfielder Ricky Ledee agreed Thursday to an $850,000, one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Ledee, who had been eligible for salary arbitration, hit .227 with eight homers and 23 RBI in 96 games last season, mostly coming off the bench.

"Ricky was a very solid extra man for us last season,'' assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "He gave us power off the bench and played very well when he was called upon to fill a more extensive role.''

Ledee can earn additional money in performance bonuses.

The Phillies also agreed to minor league contracts with catchers Todd Pratt, 35, and James Levis, 34. Both were be invited to spring training.

Philadelphia said free-agent pitcher Ricky Bottalico had rejected the team's offer of salary arbitration. If Bottalico doesn't re-sign by Jan. 8, he can't rejoin the Phillies until May 1.

Adams accepts arbitration: Right-hander Terry Adams accepted salary arbitration with the Philadelphia Phillies and will not become a free agent.

Adams went 7-9 with a 4.35 ERA in 46 appearances last year with Phillies. Accepting arbitration is the equivalent of signing a one-year deal for the 2003 season. The deadline to accept arbitration was midnight Thursday.

Unless they agree on a contract, Philadelphia and Adams will exchange proposed salaries for a one-year contract in mid-January and will argue their cases before three arbitrators the following month.

Adams has a 44-52 lifetime record with a 4.10 ERA in 431 appearances.

Alfonseca agrees to $4 million deal
CHICAGO -- Reliever Antonio Alfonseca and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract Thursday, avoiding salary arbitration.

The Cubs also were negotiating a deal with starter Shawn Estes, a contract that would be finalized if he passes a physical Friday.

Alfonseca, 30, was acquired with pitcher Matt Clement from the Florida Marlins last March 27 for pitchers Julian Tavarez, Jose Cueto and Dontrelle Willis and catcher Ryan Jorgensen.

With the Cubs, Alfonseca appeared in 66 games and went 2-5 with 19 saves and a 4.00 ERA, but also blew nine save chances.

"I'm optimistic he'll return to his old form,'' Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Thursday. "He was returning from back surgery early last year and didn't get a lot of chances to save.''

Hendry said signing Alfonseca doesn't mean the Cubs won't bring in another closer. Reports say the Cubs have shown interest in reacquiring Tom Gordon.

Rijo, Hamilton reject arbitration
CINCINNATI -- Pitchers Jose Rijo and Joey Hamilton have rejected salary arbitration.

If they are not re-signed by Jan. 8, the Cincinnati Reds cannot sign them until May 1.

Rijo was 5-4 with a 5.14 earned-run average in 77 innings spanning 31 appearances, including nine starts. Hamilton was 4-10 with a 5.27 ERA in 124 innings over 39 games, including 17 starts.

The Reds did not offer arbitration to pitchers Brian Moehler or Shawn Estes.

The six players still eligible for arbitration are pitchers Bruce Chen, Ryan Demster, Danny Graves and Scott Williamson, infielder Aaron Boone and catcher Jason LaRue.

Meadows agrees with Pirates
PITTSBURGH -- Right-hander Brian Meadows avoided arbitration by agreeing Thursday to a $600,000, one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The split contract would reduce his salary to $150,000 if he pitches in the minors. In the majors, Meadows can earn an additional $375,000 in performance bonuses.

Meadows, signed by Pittsburgh after being released by the Minnesota Twins during spring training, was 1-6 with a 3.88 ERA in 11 starts while spending about one-third of the season with the Pirates. He was 9-8 with a 4.27 ERA in 22 starts at Triple-A Nashville.

Meadows has a 37-50 career record -- mostly with Florida, where he twice was an 11-game winner.