PHOENIX -- Talks resumed on Monday in an attempt to complete a trade that would send Larry Walker from the Colorado Rockies to the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a five-player deal.

	Williams

	Walker

The proposed trade would send third baseman Matt Williams, first baseman Erubiel Durazo, outfielder David Dellucci and reliever Bret Prinz to the Rockies.

"We talked several times and continued to try to make progress,'' Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said. "But as is our policy, I'm not going to give a play-by-play of how the talks are going.''

Both Walker and Williams would have to waive no-trade clauses in their contracts. Walker has indicated he would be interested in playing for Arizona, but Williams might balk because his children live in the Phoenix area.

The Rockies want to trade Walker as part of their attempts to rid their roster of expensive, long-term contracts.

Walker, who turns 36 on Dec. 1, has three years and $38.5 million remaining on his contract with Colorado. That includes a $1 million buyout for the 2006 season.

The first step in the Rockies' restructuring occurred when left-hander Mike Hampton was traded to Florida, then subsequently to Atlanta.

Williams is to receive $10 million in 2003, the final year of his contract. Williams said when he came to Arizona in the team's 1998 inaugural season that he was doing so to be close to his children.

However, he does know Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd well from their years with the Cleveland Indians.

Once a deal is in place, the teams have 72 hours to try to reach agreements with the players who have no-trade clauses. Garagiola would not say if that 72-hour period had kicked in, but said he hoped the talks can conclude soon so the Diamondbacks can look elsewhere if the trade doesn't go through.

Walker, the National League MVP in 1997, has averaged 30 home runs, 94 RBI and a .340 batting average in his seven seasons with the Rockies. However, he often has been slowed by injuries.

Walker told the Denver Post that the trade talk was instigated entirely by the Rockies.

"I am not asking for or demanding a trade,'' he said. "I haven't talked to the Rockies or my agent since the season ended. I am telling you I have nothing to do with pushing the Rockies to get me out of there. That is 100 percent false.''

Williams, who turns 37 on Nov. 28, has missed 289 games because of injuries the last three years, including the first 87 games last season because of a broken leg and dislocated ankle.

If Williams does return to the Diamondbacks, it might not be as a starter. That job could go to Craig Counsell, if he is recovered sufficiently from neck surgery.