Free agent Nomar Garciaparra met for several hours Thursday afternoon with Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti at Dodger Stadium. Accompanied by his agent, Arn Tellem, Garciaparra also spoke to Dodger owner Frank McCourt.
A possibility at first base or in left field for the Dodgers, Garciaparra is close to choosing from among as many as four clubs, believed to be the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros and Dodgers.
Tellem said by e-mail Thursday, "Nomar is very pleased to have several attractive options for next season. He is weighing all of them carefully and hopes to make the best decision for him and his family in the very near future."
Garciaparra, 32, has had consecutive seasons cut short because of injuries; in 2004 because of Achilles' tendinitis, and last season because of a torn left groin. He played a total of 143 games in those seasons, with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. He lives with his wife, Mia Hamm, in Manhattan Beach.