Valley resident Mulder in talks with D-Backs

The Diamondbacks continued their pursuit of free agent left-hander Mark Mulder on Tuesday while learning that they lost out on Japanese left-hander Kei Igawa.

The D-Backs discussed parameters of a deal with Mulder’s representatives Tuesday afternoon, although no offer was made, and are expected to continue discussions as the suitors get serious.

“There appears to be interest from the Diamondbacks’ side,” agent Gregg Clifton said.

Mulder, a Valley resident, already has received offers from San Diego, St. Louis and Texas, according to major league sources, with Cleveland remaining in contention.

The Mulder camp believes the league-wide interest is enough to generate a contract with at least two guaranteed years, either through a straight two-year deal or in a deal that includes a vesting option or a player option.

“Mark wants to be more settled. He is getting married in a few weeks and wants to be in the same place for several years,” Clifton said.

Meanwhile, the negotiating rights to Igawa were awarded to the New York Yankees after the Hanshin Tigers accepted their sealed bid of $25 million.

The D-Backs bid was about $10 million, similar to San Diego’s number but short of the Mets’ $15 million.

Talent evaluators consider Igawa, 27, a No. 4 starter in a major league rotation, and one compared him to former Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Kaz Ishii, saying Igawa had better command of his repertoire but not as much velocity.

The D-Backs already have added left-hander Doug Davis to the rotation but are looking to add one more starter and plan to talk again with free agent Tomo Ohka.

They were considering an offer to free agent left-hander Randy Wolf before completing the six-player trade with Milwaukee on Saturday that brought Davis, left-hander Dana Eveland and outfielder Dave Krynzel for Johnny Estrada, Claudio Vargas and Greg Aquino. Wolf signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“After it sunk in, I was real happy to come over and try to help the Diamondbacks,” said Davis, who lives in north Scottsdale and whose family lives in Sacramento. “It’s closer to family.”

COUNSELL TO STAY HOME?

Craig Counsell appears close to taking a second tour with his hometown Milwaukee Brewers after a deal with the San Diego Padres fell through, according to major league sources. Counsell, who spent the last two seasons with the D-Backs, moved back to Milwaukee after the 2006 season, although he kept his home in the Valley in case he returned for spring training.

One newspaper Tuesday reported that Counsell had reached a preliminary agreement on a two-year deal to play second base in San Diego, but agent Barry Meister said “that would be incorrect” when contacted later in the day.

Counsell also has drawn interest from the Cubs and St. Louis, but the Cardinals filled their second base vacancy by signing Adam Kennedy to a three-year, $10 million contract Tuesday.

SHORT HOP

After selecting Bill Plummer to manage Triple-A Tucson last month, the move was announced publicly by the Sidewinders on Tuesday.