Shaw and Reds end talks
Free agent reliever and team cannot reach agreement
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Though Shaw and the Reds revived dormant talks earlier in May, the sides never progressed to active bargaining.
"They asked us to make a proposal, and we did," said Joe Bick, Shaw's agent. "They never counter-proposed and they said they couldn't do it."
Shaw's proposal called for a $750,000 salary this season, which essentially would have been $375,000 since he wouldn't have begun pitching until July 1. The deal also would have called for a $4.5 million salary for 2003 and a $2.75 million buyout for 2004.
The parties launched talks last December and broke them off in Spring Training before the second round of negotiations began.
Shaw, who saved 43 games for Los Angeles last year, remained intrigued by the idea of pitching for the Reds, since he could have commuted to Cinergy Field from his home in Washington Court House.
He burst into prominence during his 1996-98 stint with the Reds, leading the league with 42 saves in 1997.
Now, Bick said, Shaw's likely to stay retired. He also spurned inquiries from the Chicago Cubs, among other teams, earlier this year.
"He's not going to play anymore, and he's fine with that," Bick said. "It's not like he's siting up there going crazy not playing. Bottom line, he was debating whether he should do this anyway."
The Reds wanted Shaw, 35, to reinforce their bullpen, which has been efficient but taxed.
Cincinnati's relievers, who ranked fourth in the National League with a 2.79 ERA and tied for first with St. Louis in innings pitched entering Friday, have been responsible for the team's rise to first place in the Central Division.
But manager Bob Boone has leaned on the bullpen to consume innings the starters haven't. Cincinnati's starters rank next-to-last in the league in innings pitched.
Reds general manager Jim Bowden couldn't be reached for comment.
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