D-Backs eye free agent Loretta

Asked to name the most underappreciated player in the major leagues years ago, then-Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly pointed to the opposing dugout. "He's right over there - Mark Loretta," Brenly said.

Loretta remains on the D-Backs' radar.

A free agent, Loretta has emerged as a candidate to fill the second base opening that will be left with the departure of Orlando Hudson.

The D-Backs have had talks with Loretta's camp, although no deal appears imminent.

"We've had positive communication," agent Bob Garber said. "It's still too early (in the process) for each of us."

Loretta, 36, is said to be seeking a full-time role after getting only 261 at-bats last season with Houston, and the D-Backs would seem to offer that opportunity.

In the absence of Hudson, who filed for free agency last week and is likely to earn as much as $10 million a year on a multi-year contract this winter, the D-Backs' current candidates at second are Augie Ojeda and Chris Burke.

The D-Backs like Ojeda as a handy fill-in at all three infield positions, and Burke hit only .194 last season, although he never was allowed to settle in at one position.

Loretta hit .280 with four home runs and 38 RBIs last season with the Astros, and his production numbers compare favorably with those of Hudson, who was hitting .305 when he was lost for the season with a left wrist injury in early August.

Loretta had a .350 on-base percentage last season, while Hudson's was .367.

Loretta averaged an RBI every 6.9 at-bats; Hudson averaged one every 9.0 at-bats.

D-Backs general manager Josh Byrnes said the D-Backs are more likely to add a second baseman than move Mark Reynolds from third base, and Byrnes also said he was open to a veteran or a younger player.

Loretta began his major league career with Milwaukee and also has played for Houston, Boston and San Diego, where he makes his home.

He had his best seasons in San Diego in 2003 and 2004, where he hit a composite .325 with 75 doubles, 29 homers and 148 RBIs.

In the seven seasons in which Loretta has played at least 130 games, he has batted .287, .316, .290, .335, .314, .285 and .287.

Loretta is a part owner of a Valley restaurant and also has a long relationship with D-Backs manager Bob Melvin, who spent 1996-1999 in the Milwaukee organization and was the Brewers' bench coach in 1999.

SHORT HOP: Brandon Webb's agent, Jonathan Maurer, said he has had no talks with the D-Backs since last July, when the club pulled a proposed $54 million contract extension through 2014 off the table after going so far as to give Webb a medical examination during the D-Backs' road trip in Pittsburgh.

"Nothing at all pending," Maurer said.

Webb was 9-3 after the exam while tying for the major league lead with 22 victories.