The general manager of the World Series champion Chicago White Sox pulled off two big moves last month, when he acquired Jim Thome and then re-signed Paul Konerko. Now, it appears Williams has added another impressive weapon for Chicago's title defense in Javier Vazquez.

The White Sox and Diamondbacks are close to a deal that would send Vazquez and cash to Chicago in exchange for pitchers Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez and Luis Vizcaino and highly regarded outfield prospect Chris Young.

The trade is contingent upon players passing physicals and the approval of the Commissioner since Arizona is including cash in the deal.

Arizona acquired Vazquez last January in a trade that sent Randy Johnson to the Yankees, and the veteran exercised his contractual right to demand a trade last month after going 11-15 with a 4.42 ERA in 33 starts in 2005.

Hernandez was 9-9 with a 5.12 ERA for the White Sox last season but came up big in the playoffs, especially against Boston in the American League Championship Series.

Vazquez gives Chicago insurance in case starters Jon Garland and/or Jose Contreras leave the club after next season when they will become free agents.

Elsewhere on the Hot Stove front:

Astros: While still hoping for Roger Clemens to return next season, the Astros in the meantime have been busy trying to add offense.

The Astros met with free agent outfielder Rondell White at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, and White underwent a physical before leaving town.

The Astros are also considering free agents Nomar Garciaparra and Reggie Sanders to a lesser degree than White, but with Garciaparra (who is also being courted by the Yankees and Indians) seeking at least $5 million and Sanders wanting a three-year deal, neither may be a financial fit for the cost-conscious Astros. The Astros are also considering outfielder Juan Encarnacion.

Diamondbacks: Arizona signed free agent right-hander Jason Grimsley to a one-year contract.

Dodgers: Los Angeles signed third baseman Bill Mueller on Wednesday to a two-year contract worth about $9.5 million.

By trading Milton Bradley to Oakland on Tuesday, the Dodgers have created an opening that might be filled by free agent Johnny Damon.

Mariners: Carl Everett and the Mariners agreed Wednesday to a one-year contract with a club option for 2007.

The Tacoma News Tribune reported that the Mariners are still interested in starter Kevin Millwood, but that Millwood's agent, Scott Boras, is looking for a five-year, $60 million deal for his client. The News Tribune added that the Mariners are also still interested in starters Jarrod Washburn and Scott Elarton.

Marlins: The Marlins have had discussions with the Devil Rays about acquiring Joey Gathright as replacement for center fielder Juan Pierre, dealt last week to the Cubs. According to a Major League source, the Marlins are considering parting with left-handed pitcher Scott Olsen for Gathright.

Mets: The Daily News reported that the Mets have not yet made an offer to free agent reliever Julian Tavarez, but that "industry scuttlebutt" was that they would not be put off by the market that would require a four-year deal.

"The market for these [relievers] is three or four years," Boras was quoted as having said. "I don't think there's any question. All the teams that are interested are in that range."

The report also stated a Mets insider said the club hadn't made a four-year offer.

The Mets' need for a setup reliever increased last week when the club declined to offer salary arbitration to Roberto Hernandez, its incumbent free agent, and lost negotiating rights to him until May 1.

"We'll certainly be talking with [the Mets]," Boras said and acknowledged he had recent conversations with general manager Omar Minaya and assistant Tony Bernazard.

Tavarez earned $2.6 million last season, his second with the Cardinals. The 32-year-old right-handed reliever had a 2-3 record and a 3.43 ERA with four saves in 74 appearances. He has pitched in the Major Leagues since 1993, first with the Indians and subsequently with the Giants, Rockies, Cubs, Marlins, Pirates and Cardinals. He has pitched for five teams in the last six seasons.

Nationals: The Nationals are trying to get frontline starting pitching, but GM Jim Bowden said he is not entirely confident that he will land one. The team has offers on the table to Millwood and Washburn, and has shown interest in Shawn Estes, Pedro Astacio and Brett Tomko.

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"We continue to work on it," said Bowden. "The market is such that it became a runaway train and at the end of the day, the GM of every club has to make difficult decisions. Pitching is a lot more expensive than it was three months ago."

Phillies: Braden Looper appears close to a decision, with the Phillies, Cardinals, Pirates and Orioles vying for his services. The Pirates and Orioles seem to want him to close, which may influence his decision.

Royals: The Royals wanted Grimsley but now must look elsewhere after the right-hander signed with Arizona on Wednesday.

"That's great for him," Royals general manager Allard Baird said. "He had guaranteed money on the table, but we could offer only a non-guaranteed contract."

Grimsley, 38, would have been a middle-innings reliever, although that need diminished with the signing of free agent Elmer Dessens.

The GM still is pursuing another free agent right fielder, Jacque Jones of the Minnesota Twins.

First baseman Ken Harvey, who was on the comeback trail, has undergone surgery and will miss about six months.

With Harvey sidelined, Doug Mientkiewicz has piqued the Royals' interest. A free agent, Mientkiewicz hit .240 in 87 games last season for the Mets. He had 11 home runs and 29 RBIs. Mientkiewicz won a Gold Glove in 2001 with the Twins.

"He'd have to be given significant playing time for him to come," Baird said.

Although the Royals acquired Esteban German from the Rangers during the Winter Meetings, they still are "aggressively" pursuing ex-Cardinal Mark Grudzielanek as a starting second baseman. Baird is offering a one-year deal, but Grudzielanek wants a multiyear contract. The Royals have lesser interest in Tony Graffanino.

The Royals are looking at free agent pitchers Elarton and Joe Mays among others.

Tigers: Owner Mike Ilitch told The Associated Press that the clock is ticking on his patience with a Tigers turnaround after 12 straight losing seasons in his 13 years in charge. "I'm running out of time with the Tigers -- we're in our 13th year," Ilitch told the AP on Tuesday. "If we hit the 15-year mark, I'll be very concerned."

Ilitch chalked up part of the problem to bad hiring decisions early in his tenure after he tried to lure back former GM Bill Lajoie in 1992. He also cited a bad farm system he inherited when he bought the team. He hopes to see a major improvement in 2006.

"If we can make a significant improvement this year, then I can treat it like I treated the Red Wings, and that would be, 'OK, you've shown me something now, we are legitimate contenders, so whatever you need you're going to get.' But you've got to work yourself up to that," he said.