Teams inquiring about Valverde

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Diamondbacks are not seeking adjustments to a bullpen that had the most saves and the best save percentage in the National League last season, but that has not stopped teams from inquiring about All-Star closer Jose Valverde.

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Asked who has expressed interest in Valverde at the winter meetings here, one source with knowledge of the situation said: “All the teams that need a closer.”

Milwaukee and Arizona had discussions, according to sources on both sides, but could not find a fit because the D-Backs likely would want a starting pitcher, perhaps someone who could slot as high as No. 2 in the rotation.

So Valverde appears safe after leading the major leagues with 47 saves in 2007.

“There are things we are trying to do and things that are probable, and that’s neither,” D-Backs general manager Josh Byrnes said of moving Valverde.

“If someone inquires, we tend to listen. It doesn’t mean we do anything.”

The D-Backs, meanwhile, remained in touch with their targeted trade partner, Oakland, who has made right-hander Dan Haren available but want a steep, steep price in return, leading to talk last night that the A’s will not trade Haren, at least not here.

The D-Backs are willing to discuss a package, multiple sources told the Tribune on Tuesday, that could include three of the top players in their minor league system — outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and left-hander Brett Anderson.

Still, that might not be enough. One source said the A’s could seek as many as six players in return for Haren, whose contract — he is under control through 2010 at a cost of $16.25 million — is one of the best values in baseball.

“They want everything,” one NL official said while walking through the spacious Opryland Hotel.

It is uncertain if the D-Backs would part with an excessive amount of their future, although they can at least consider such a move because they control all but one of their starting position players, plus staff ace Brandon Webb and closer Valverde, for at least three years.

There are indications that the A’s also would want a major league player or two in return in any deal for Haren.

The Yankees also are reported to be interested in Haren, but a baseball official here said the A’s want a package of even greater value than what Minnesota discussed for Johan Santana — young pitchers Ian Kennedy and/or Philip Hughes and outfielder Melky Cabrera — because Haren’s cost is much more reasonable.

A’s general manager Billy Beane did seem to indicate he would deal Haren and others when he told reporters before the winter meeting, “What I think is a terrible idea in our (small) market is to be in between.

“You’re either rebuilding for something special, or you’re on the verge of something special. To be in between is foolish.”

Byrnes said he is juggling “three or four possible concepts” on the trade front, some interrelated.

The D-Backs remain positive about their pursuit of Japanese free-agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, and view it as a positive that neither Kuroda nor his agent visited the winter meeting.

There is some indication that Kuroda and agent Steve Hilliard could visit the Valley as part of their due diligence in the next week or two, at which point Kuroda could pick between the D-Backs, Seattle, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City.

The first starter the D-Backs land in the Haren/Kuroda mix, if they get one of them, will be the only one because of the salary issue. Kuroda will get at least $9 million a year for the next three.

“It could pose a problem,” Byrnes said, adding “if we moved something else, it could solve the problem.”

Washington is among teams who have expressed interest in catcher Miguel Montero, who lost playing time as the 2007 season wore on when Chris Snyder became more entrenched as the starter, but there does not appear to be a fit.

The Nationals traded starting catcher Brian Schneider to the New York Mets in the Lastings Milledge deal last week.