David Wells Starting Pitcher Free Agent Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM W-L IP H K ERA 16 5-7 100.2 120 59 4.47

David Wells is close to returning to the New York Yankees, spurning an offer from World Series champion Arizona to rejoin the team he never wanted to leave.

It was George Steinbrenner's desire to bring Wells back that prompted the free-agent pitcher to change his mind about joining the Diamondbacks and agree to a two-year deal with the defending American League champions, according to his agent, Gregg Clifton.

Clifton told ESPN that Wells accepted Steinbrenner's proposal during a "Christmas lunch" Monday in Tampa, Fla.

Wells is scheduled to take a physical with the Yankees on Friday in Tampa.

Clifton said no negotiations have taken place, but that Wells agreed to the terms presented by Steinbrenner during their meeting. The contract is for two years with a club option for a third year and guarantees that Wells will make at least $7 million.

Diamondbacks managing general partner Jerry Colangelo had strong words for David Wells and George Steinbrenner after losing out on the free-agent left-hander.

Referring to Wells, Colangelo told the Arizona Daily Star: "Am I disappointed in his character?" Colangelo said. "Absolutely."

"Was it unethical? Yes," Colangelo said. "I think what Steinbrenner did was not appropriate. ... A partner in our own business encourages a player to break a commitment. You talk about what's wrong with the game. That's wrong."

According to Clifton, Wells' contract will include a $1 million signing bonus and $2 million in base salary for the first year. Wells will make $3 million in base pay in the second year. The Yankees' option in the third year calls for $6 million in salary or a $1 million buyout. With incentives in each year of the contract, Wells could earn as much as $20 million.

"David was very impressed with Jerry and the Diamondbacks organization and their commitment to winning," said Clifton, referring to Wells' previous interest in signing with the Diamondbacks. "But it was David's desire to return to the Yankees and finish his career in pinstripes that was the overpowering factor."

Yankees director of media relations Rick Cerrone said that until a player is signed the team would not comment.

Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said Friday that Clifton told him that the pitcher had agreed to a deal with the Yankees. Just last week, Clifton said he was "85 percent" sure Wells would sign with the Diamondbacks.

"I think we were surprised," Garagiola said Friday. "We felt that all that remained was for him to come out here and take a physical, which was to occur next week. But he went back to Tampa and apparently things changed."

Garagiola told ESPN's Karl Ravech on Friday that Wells apparently shook hands on the deal with Arizona managing general partner Jerry Colangelo on Dec. 20, told the team he wouldn't shop the deal elsewhere and was to have a physical examination early next week in hopes of signing him as the No. 3 starter behind Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling.

The deal with the Diamondbacks may have fallen fell through when the team was unable to give Wells a physical on his visit because their back specialist, Dr. Volker Sonntag, was out of town, allowing Wells time to set the wheels in motion on a return to the Yankees.

A lawyer familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition he not be identified, told The Associated Press that Wells and the Yankees are still working on final details of the structure of the contract but are confident a deal will get done.

Wells spent two years with the Yankees, going 34-14 in 1997-98, pitching a perfect game and winning a World Series. He was traded to Toronto in the deal for Roger Clemens before the 1999 season.

Wells basked in the limelight of New York and was a favorite of Yankees fans and owner George Steinbrenner. He was devastated by the trade to Toronto and wanted to return to New York ever since.

Wells joins a powerful rotation that already has Clemens, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte and Sterling Hitchcock. The addition of Wells could lead to the Yankees trading Orlando Hernandez, who struggled with injuries last season.

The 38-year-old Wells was 5-7 with a 4.47 ERA in 16 starts for the Chicago White Sox this year. His season was cut short because of back surgery and he still needs to pass a physical before his deal with the Yankees is completed.

Wells, who has battled weight problems throughout his career, said he has lost about 20 pounds during rehabilitation.

He has a 166-114 record and a 4.08 ERA in 15 major league seasons. In 19 postseason appearances, he is 8-1 with a 2.74 ERA, including victories in his last seven decisions.

The Diamondbacks had hoped to slide Wells in behind aces Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling in a dominating rotation. Garagiola said the team wouldn't necessarily look to add another starter after being turned down by Wells.

"This is a scenario where we felt we could do something with a short-term contract -- one year -- with an acceptable level of risk to us and a nice upside," Garagiola said. "Maybe there's somebody else out there who sees himself in a similar situation. There are still a lot of starters out there.

"But even if we don't do anything, I feel very good about the starters we'll go to spring training with in six weeks."

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.