Lots of talk, not much else

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Agents and general managers talked a lot but did little Sunday on the third day of baseball’s winter meetings.

There was just one trade, with Toronto sending catcher Kevin Cash to Tampa Bay for right-hander Chad Gaudin, and no free-agent signings. With the meetings wrapping up today, teams appeared more concerned about setting up the groundwork for future deals than actually finalizing swaps and contracts.

Carlos Beltran’s agent discussed the All-Star center fielder with the Yankees, who also met with the agent for Pedro Martinez. While New York general manager Brian Cashman said he hadn’t made an offer to Beltran, he refused to say whether he offered a contract to Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner.

Oakland discussed trading Tim Hudson to Los Angeles, Baltimore pursued first baseman Richie Sexson and Toronto talked about signing third baseman Corey Koskie. Boston and St. Louis both went after shortstop Edgar Renteria, and Anaheim attempted to reel in pitcher Matt Clement.

“There’s really no movement forward but none backward since yesterday,” Angels general manager Bill Stoneman said, describing his team’s situation in words that could be applied to the whole industry.

Since the meetings opened Friday, just three trades and three signings have been announced. Arizona reached a preliminary agreement Sunday on a one-year deal with shortstop Royce Clayton worth about $1.3 million, and Cleveland moved close to a one-year agreement with second baseman Jose Hernandez.

It’s not like the old days, when Jack McKeon and Roland Hemond set up shop ready to wheel and deal. In the age of e-mail, cell phones, complex guarantee language, physicals and insurance, what used to be done with a handshake now needs lawyers and doctors to chime in.

Even when teams do make deals, they don’t announce them until each clause in the letter of agreement has been approved and the last X-ray perused.

“I remember when I first started going to winter meetings, there were a lot more trades made, especially in the lobby of the hotel,” New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya said. “It’s just a different day and age.”

After meeting with agent Scott Boras, Cashman thought it would take a while to work out a deal for Beltran, likely to get the largest contract of the winter.

“We’re barely out of the starting blocks on this,” Cashman said.

The key date in the Beltran talks might be Jan. 8 — the last day he can re-sign with the Houston Astros.

“That’s one of the considerations,” Boras said.

Minaya has been trying to sign Martinez and another starter, perhaps Odalis Perez, and also a first baseman.

“We’re still in dialogue. The fact that we’re in dialogue means that we’re still alive,” he said of Martinez. “It gets to the point where you need some type of answer.”

Boston general manager Theo Epstein wouldn’t give direct answers to questions about specific players.

“It’s been another very busy day,” he said. “There are a lot of hurdles left to climb, but there are a lot of good opportunities out there.”

Anaheim appeared confident of adding pitching.

“We’re going to get something done,” Stoneman said. “We just don’t have it done. You have to be patient. When all’s said and done, we’ll help ourselves in the ‘pen. When all’s said and done, we’ll help ourselves in the rotation.”

Oakland manager Ken Macha was prepared to lose Hudson, who with Mark Mulder and Barry Zito combined to form a rotation that kept the Athletics in contention.

“I realize you’re trading a pitcher with a .700 win percentage if it’s Hudson. I don’t see where this situation is any different than moving Jason Giambi or Miguel Tejada,” he said. “We rely on our farm system. It seems like every year there’s somebody going out. We’ve been able to survive in every situation quite well.”

Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta said Oakland hadn’t agreed to a deal with him.

“My understanding is they’re still dealing with a lot of teams. They’re exploring their options,” he said. “They’re not ready to do something yet.”

Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi was hopeful about signing Koskie.