National League

Arizona

BERNIE & TIE BIG UNIT: The team set up a visit with OF Bernie Williams that was supposed to take place late this week, G.M. Joe Garagiola Jr. said. The club also has lined up a visit with another free agent, LHP Randy Johnson, who lives in nearby Paradise Valley, about a 15-minute drive from Bank One Ballpark. The club probably has a better chance at landing Johnson, who would love to play near his home. But Williams might outprice himself, even by Arizona's lofty standards.

LONG-TERM DEAL: Super utility player Andy Fox, who started at six of the eight everyday positions last season, will be eligible for arbitration after next season. There is growing sentiment within the organization to sign Fox for a few years now rather than let him have another big season and cash in through arbitration. Fox, who barely made more than the $170,000 major league minimum last season, would be willing to talk about a long-term deal with the Diamondbacks, who gave him his first opportunity to play on an everyday basis.... The team is looking into what it could take to trade for OF Dante Powell, who otherwise appears to be blocked out from receiving serious playing time with the Giants. -- Pedro Gomez

Atlanta

BAYLOR THE BRAVE? Former Rockies manager Don Baylor reportedly is discussing a coaching job with the Braves. The most likely position for Baylor is as hitting coach, a job Clarence Jones has held on Atlanta's staff since 1988. The reasoning behind replacing Jones might be a lack of development by several players, including Ryan Klesko, Tony Graffanino and Michael Tucker.

THE CINCINNATI KID: One of the positions the Braves hope to strengthen this winter is second base, and they reportedly have called the Reds to ask about Bret Boone. Boone, a Gold Glove second baseman, hit .266 last season and led Cincinnati with 24 homers and 95 RBIs. Although Boone would come relatively cheaply--he signed a four-year, $11.4 million deal in February 1997 that will pay him $2.9 million next season--the Braves still will have to unload at least one big salary to make any additional moves. The club also would like to strengthen left field and right field, where Klesko and Tucker were disappointments last season. Free-agent OF Brian Jordan, a former Atlanta Falcons defensive back, would like to return to the city, but injury problems and a high price tag could make the Braves reluctant to talk with him. -- Bill Zack

Chicago

NEW CATCHER: Todd Hundley would certainly solve the team's catching problems, but at $5.2 million in '99, $6 million in 2000 and coming off of elbow surgery, the chances of the Cubs taking on a contract like that are slim and none. More likely candidates to replace Scott Servais are guys like Terry Steinbach or Joe Girardi if he can be acquired in a trade.... The club declined its 1999 option on RHP Mike Morgan, who may wind up back with the Twins.... Pitching coach Phil Regan was no great fan of G.M. Ed Lynch. So when the Indians asked for and received permission to speak with Regan, he didn't waste much time saying goodbye. Regan is the Indians' new pitching coach, and the Cubs looked inside to fill the position from among Marly DeMerritt, Rick Kranitz and Lester Strode. Lynch neither praised nor criticized Regan on the way out the door, but insiders believe he had a personality conflict with Regan.

YOU WANT WHAT? The team already has big payroll problems, and it's not helping that free agents Henry Rodriguez and Tarry Mulholland reportedly are asking for more money than the Cubs had expected. The club is going to have to spend some money to get better, and it doesn't appear willing to do that. -- Barry Rozner

Cincinnati

BERE NEGOTIATIONS: To keep RHP Jason Bere, the team must make a contract offer by November 10 or face losing him by November 16, but G.M. Jim Bowden said the two sides were "significantly apart" Bere is the latest in a long line of reclamation projects attempted by the team, and there were signs this one was succeeding. Bere, 27, once a prodigy with Chicago, was released by the White Sox during the 1998 season. The Reds picked him up, worked with him, and Bere started to show he was completely recovered from his elbow problems, going 3-2 with a 4.12 ERA and helping a starting rotation that needed a boost But considering his background and age, a healthy and effective Bere could help a club that wants to make a run at the playoffs and can afford to pay more than the Reds.

ROTATION PROBLEMS: Without Bere, the team could be in trouble in the rotation. The Reds are in good shape with their top two, Pete Harnisch and Brett Tomko, and Dennis Reyes is a promising 21-year-old. But other than Steve Parris, a journeyman who pitched well at the end of the season, the team has a lot of questions. Scott Winchester may be the top candidate if the team goes with a minor leaguer. -- Mike Bass

Colorado

HELP ISN'T CHEAP: Scared off by the high cost of the No. 1 starting pitchers on the market, the club will pursue a different plan of action to improve upon a disappointing season. That likely will include signing a free-agent center fielder and then shoring up the starting pitching, catching, bench and bullpen either through more-reasonably priced free agents or trades. The club plans to add at least $10 million to its $50 million payroll from last season, but doesn't want to drop it all on one player such as Kevin Brown or Randy Johnson. That leaves signing Steve Finley or Brian Jordan to play center field as the big-bucks expenditure of the offseason. Kirt Manwaring also will have to be replaced behind the plate, as his option wasn't picked up.