Dec. 2 -- WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING ...

... the deadline passed for teams to offer salary arbitration to their free agents.

As expected, the Phillies offered arbitration to OF David Dellucci, so they will receive a second-round pick and a compensatory pick between the first and second rounds if Dellucci signs elsewhere. And, pending a physical early next week, he's about to sign a three-year contract with the Cleveland Indians.

More interesting to me, however, was that the Cincinnati Reds did NOT offer arbitration to RHP David Weathers (pictured). The Phils have spoken to Weathers' agent, Dan Horwits, but decided not to present an offer before Friday's arbitration deadline. Like Dellucci, Weathers is a Type A free agent, and the Phillies did not want to relinquish a draft pick for signing the 37-year-old reliever. Since Weathers wasn't offered arbitration, the Phils won't have to worry.

The Phils' other free agents -- C Mike Lieberthal (Type A), LHP Aaron Fultz (Type A), LHP Arthur Rhodes (Type B), RHP Rick White (Type C), 1B Randall Simon (no rating) and IF Jose Hernandez (no rating) -- were not offered arbitration. Under a new rule, the Phillies can, if they want, continue negotiations with those free agents. In the past, they wouldn't have been able to re-sign those players until May 1. It doesn't appear, however, that the Phillies are interested in bringing any of them back, except for perhaps Fultz, who made $1.2 million last season and could reasonably expect to get richer in an inflated market for middle relievers.

From what I've heard, the Phillies could make an offer to Weathers in the coming days. Starting tomorrow night, I'll be at the winter meetings in Orlando, and I'll have more information on Weathers and other possible Phillies moves in the News Journal and with live updates at www.delawareonline.com.

For now, here's more information on Weathers, including a story from the Cincinnati Post on the Reds' desire to bring him back.