Byrnes talks moving slowly with Diamondbacks

MILWAUKEE - Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes had more dialogue Tuesday with Mike Sasson, the agent for potential free agent Eric Byrnes, about a long-term contract, but the sides do not appear close to reaching a deal.

Before this season, top free agent outfielders J.D. Drew and Gary Matthews received five-year contracts with an average annual value of at least $10 million a season and Juan Pierre received a five-year deal worth $8.75 million on average annually, but all the salary and terms exceed what the D-Backs’ wish to commit, a team source said.

Eric Byrnes, having a career year, has said he wants to stay with the D-Backs and will give the team a home-town discount “within reason. But I’m not going to be stupid.”

Eric Byrnes does not want negotiations to drag, and if the sides cannot reach agreement in a week or so said he will play out the season and reconsider his options then.

“We’ll figure it out soon enough,” Eric Byrnes said.

The D-Backs have a 10-day exclusive negotiating window with their own free agents — Byrnes, Tony Clark, Jeff DaVanon and Livan Hernandez — after the World Series ends.

TRADE TALK

Josh Byrnes labeled “ridiculous” a report out of Chicago that the D-Backs “showcased” Conor Jackson for the White Sox on Monday by starting him in left field for the first time in two seasons.

Jackson, who spent time talking with Byrnes during pregame hitting Tuesday, said he has heard nothing about a possible trade, a move that could unblock the D-Backs at the corner infield spots.

“You just have to go out and play. When you think about trades or playing time, it just complicates the game, and the game is complicated enough already,” Jackson said.

If playing the outfield meant playing regularly Jackson said he would be all for it.

“You wouldn’t find a player who doesn’t want to play every day,” he said. “I like the outfield. But I’m not going to sit here and say I’d rather play one position over another.”

JOHNSON THROWS

Randy Johnson threw 30 pitches in a bullpen session at physical therapist Brett Fischer’s training center in the Valley, manager Bob Melvin said.

It was Johnson’s first side session since returning to the disabled list with a herniated disk after a June 28 start.

“He felt good,” Melvin reported.

Johnson will throw at least a couple more bullpen sessions, Melvin said, before he takes the next step, pitching in a simulated game.

Johnson’s next start has not been scheduled.

He still faces the prospect of another back surgery unless his symptoms — back soreness, leg nerve pain — unexpectedly disappear.

SHORT HOPS

Jeff DaVanon hit .333 with one home run and five RBIs in 17 games of his rehab assignment, also drawing 11 walks in 69 plate appearances. “Everything is fine,” he said. Asked if his shoulder was 100 percent, he said, “It’s fine.” Under new rules implemented this season, the D-Backs would have had to ask DaVanon’s permission to send him out on another rehab assignment after his first 20-day stint. “I wouldn’t have approved it. I want to be back in the big leagues, and they know I wanted to be here,” DaVanon said. … Former D-Backs first baseman Erubiel Durazo signed with the New York Yankees and will report to their Triple-A team in Scranton after getting his release from Monterrey, his summer team in the Mexican League. Durazo was hitting .354 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs in 45 games.