Tony Womack Agent Talking With Mariners, Cards

The agent for infielder Tony Womack, granted unconditional release by the Reds, has opened talks with the Mariners, Cardinals and other teams that may be looking for help up the middle. Womack, 35, is not ready to retire and is in the last year of a $2 million contract, $900,000 of which is being picked up by the Yankees. With guaranteed money, Womack can be had for the major league minimum but is angling for more. He became expendable in Cincinnati due to a glut of middle infielders, plus the emergence of rookie Brandon Phillips.