Tony

Batista

Batista drove in 110 runs last season, so some team likely will overpay to sign him. Still, he probably won’t get more than a one-year deal with an option year. Washington is trying to bring him back but isn’t close to doing so. “We’re apart on years and dollars,” said assistant GM Tony Siegle.

Poor Brendan Harris. Batista was offered only a slight raise over the $1.5 million he made last season, so there was little reason for him to take the two-year deal. Some team will offer him at least $2.5 million for 2005.

If the Rays have decided that B.J. Upton is a shortstop, they will need a third baseman. Trading for Kevin Youkilis could be a possibility, but it’s more likely that they’ll settle for a mediocre free agent. Batista would be perfect.

Batista has missed three games.

Here’s one autograph kids won’t be lining up to get this spring.

Batista had a sore throat and a 102-degree temperature. Manager Mike Hargrove said it will probably be a few days before he’s back in the lineup.

Batista was quarantined for 12 days with the chicken pox. He expects to return to the game action in a couple of days.

Two singles in 25 at-bats. Here’s a question: is the Expos’ offense making the Marlins’ pitching look good, or is the Marlins’ pitching making the Expos’ offense look bad? Batista was given some advice by manager Frank Robinson yesterday, and is expected to return to the lineup in the upcoming series against Philadelphia.

He is in the midst of a 4-24 slump, and has only two homers in 105 at bats. Batista should be back in the Expos’ lineup tonight.

It might not happen until the Marlins either trade Mike Lowell or are successful at dispelling all rumors that they might. Batista will be a free agent after the season. If the Orioles deal him, they would give Melvin Mora a chance to prove himself as an everyday third baseman, while Jeff Conine and B.J. Surhoff could also fill in at the position.