D-Backs notebook: Team waiting on Nixon

TUCSON - Negotiations between the Diamondbacks and free agent Trot Nixon are in the fine-print stages, with a resolution expected shortly.

 Read Jack Magruder's blog, Inside Baseball

The D-Backs have offered a minor league contract that would include a salary believed to be less than $1 million if he makes the major league roster. He played for $3 million last year.
 

Because the D-Backs see Nixon as a possible short-term solution if Chad Tracy (knee) is not ready for the start of the regular season, they would like him to give “advance consent” to accept a minor league salary if he does not remain on the roster long.
 

“It’s complicated, in the sense there are a number of scenarios that can play out if he were to sign,” general manager Josh Byrnes said.
 

“He seems focused on us, but we’ll see. If it’s going to work, it probably will be resolved in the next day or so. If it’s not, I’m not sure more time will help us resolve it.”
 

Nixon’s camp is seeking a better deal as position players report to camp.
 

“We’re talking to the Diamondbacks and with other teams,” said Nixon’s agent, Michael Maas.
 

“We hope to have something in the next couple of days. These things have a way of working themselves out.”
 

Scouts from Seattle, Toronto and the Los Angeles Dodgers also attended Nixon’s workout at the D-Backs’ complex Sunday.
 

Nixon took ground balls at first base Sunday and could fit into Tracy’s role as a backup first baseman if necessary.
 

Newcomer Chris Burke, who played second base, shortstop and all three outfield positions with Houston, is likely to get some work at first base this spring. Robby Hammock also is a candidate to fill in at first.
 

PLANNING AHEAD
Assistant general manager Peter Woodfork is to attend the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday for the new, 10,000-seat minor league ballpark in downtown Reno, Nev.
SK Baseball, which purchased the Tucson Toros franchise after the 2006 season, will move the team to Reno in 2009. The D-Backs’ working agreement with Tucson ends after the 2008 season, so they are likely to place their Triple-A team in Reno, too.
 

NEIGHBORGALL RETIRES
The Jason Neighborgall saga reached an end with his retirement after three years in the D-Backs’ organization.
 

Neighborgall, who wowed scouts with a fastball in the high-90 mph range, signed with the D-Backs for a $500,000 bonus after being taken in the third round of the 2005 draft.
 

Neighborgall had immense difficulty harnessing his stuff, however, going 1-4 with a 17.32 ERA in 51 games. He walked 128 and threw 60 wild pitches in 42 1/3 innings.
 

“I never try to talk someone in or out of retirement,” said A. J. Hinch, the D-Backs’ director of minor league operations.
 

“I think it had been a grind for him. He did his best. He didn’t care to continue.”
 

SHORT HOPS
The D-Backs will hold their first full-squad workout today at the Kino Sports Complex beginning about 9:45 a.m., after opening words from team ownership, president Derrick Hall, Byrnes and manager Bob Melvin. Virtually all the position players have been in camp the last few days, taking batting practice on a back field.