Make An Offer

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Having failed in their quest to obtain a full-time shortstop, the New York Mets now are thinking of platooning at the most critical defensive position.While they continue to talk with the Cleveland Indians about Omar Vizquel and Mark Lewis, they have made an offer to 30-year-old free agent Luis Rivera.Jim Bronner, one of the agents representing Rivera, confirmed the offer yesterday and acknowledged that his client stood a better chance of playing regularly with the Mets than with any of the other clubs who have expressed an interest in Rivera.

The Orioles resolved one infield position and took a step toward possibly improving another yesterday.Mark McLemore, penciled in as the regular second baseman, agreed to a one-year contract, and Chris Sabo was in Baltimore long enough to undergo a thorough physical examination, leading to speculation the Orioles will make an offer to the free-agent third baseman.General manager Roland Hemond, after announcing the McLemore agreement, would confirm only that Sabo was in town yesterday. He wouldn't comment on whether the Orioles would make him an offer.

Quarterback Mark Rypien, who said he feels "slapped in the face" by the Washington Redskins over his stalled contract negotiations, appears to be getting something of a cold shoulder in Canada.Even though Rypien attended the Toronto Argonauts' home opener at SkyDome on Thursday night and was cheered when he was introduced to the crowd of more than 36,000, general manager Mike McCarthy said yesterday that the team hasn't decided whether to make a formal offer to Rypien. He said a decision is likely in a week.

THE KIDNAPPING of Exxon executive Sidney Reso, which led to his death, went down in FBI annals with that of the Lindbergh baby. The alleged kidnappers were apprehended and are being held for trial. It is time for the wheels of justice and the wheels of show biz to take over.While the law is interested in punishment, others are concerned with cashing in on the dastardly act.Zeigfried Diamond is one of the biggest theatrical agents dealing in major crimes of the century. He told me that the Reso kidnapping was a sure-fire Book of the Month, a top-rated TV miniseries or a $50 million movie.

Jack Morris will meet with the Blue Jays today, giving Toronto the first chance to sign the Most Valuable Player of the World Series."I think it's really down to Toronto and Boston, both of which are acceptable alternatives, even though it's not his first choice," Morris' agent, Richard Moss, said late Monday from his home in Los Angeles.Morris, the highest-paid pitcher of 1991 at $3.7 million, declined to exercise his $3.65 million option with the Minnesota Twins, his hometown team. That move came a day after the seventh game of the World Series, when he pitched 10 shutout innings in Minnesota's 1-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

The Cincinnati Reds traded outfielder Eric Davis to the Los Angeles Dodgers last night as part of a four-player deal that sent right-hander Tim Belcher to the Reds.Cincinnati also got reliever John Wetteland and sent reliever Kip Gross to the Dodgers.Davis, 29, played in only 89 games last season, hitting .235 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI.He has been hampered by injuries throughout his career. He fell out of favor with Reds manager Lou Piniella when he decided to sit out most of the second half of the season because of what Davis called chronic fatigue resulting from his kidney injury in the 1990 World Series.

Barkley, Katz agree on 76ers' futureCharles Barkley and Philadelphia 76ers owner Harold Katz see eye to eye after all. With coach Jim Lynam also in attendance, the trio met yesterday for two hours at the team's Veterans Stadium offices and agreed they're all on the same page.Katz meets individually with all his players after every season. But Barkley raised expectations for the importance of yesterday's meeting when, after the Sixers were eliminated from the playoffs, he covered his feelings about the future with a cone of silence, promising to reveal a secret plan only after having a sit-down discussion with the owner.