The Associated Press

Major league baseball hopes to pick the future home of the Montreal Expos by the All-Star break, vowing to make a decision this season following two years of missed deadlines.

The Expos were bought by the other 29 teams before the 2002 season, and the commissioner's office originally hoped to relocate the team by 2003.

Following a two-day owners meeting, Expos president Tony Tavares said baseball's goal was to "hopefully have a decision by the All-Star game."

Commissioner Bud Selig expressed confidence the Expos would be relocated by the start of the 2005 season. He said remaining in Montreal was not an option.

Baseball officials have spoken about the Expos with groups from Las Vegas; Monterrey, Mexico; Norfolk, Va.; Northern Virginia; Portland, Ore.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Washington, D.C. Last year, owners told the groups they wanted funding for a new ballpark in place before making a decision. It was unclear if baseball still holds to that.

ARBITRATION: Reds right-handers Chris Reitsma and John Riedling were among 65 players who filed for salary arbitration on Thursday, the fewest to submit their names since 1999.

Other players who filed include AL Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay, 2001 NL Rookie of the Year Albert Pujols and New York Yankees second baseman Alfonso Soriano. Houston pitchers Wade Miller, Roy Oswalt and Octavio Dotel also filed, as did Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Woodand Florida pitchers Brad Penny and Carl Pavano.

Reitsma, 26, on Wednesday won the Johnny Vander Meer Award as the Reds best pitcher last season when he went 9-5 with 12 saves and a 4.29 ERA Riedling went 2-3 with a 4.90 ERA.

Two free-agent pitchers who accepted arbitration offers from their former teams also were in the group: Philadelphia's Kevin Millwood and the New York Yankees' Gabe White.

Clubs have tried in recent years to force deals with non-star players well before mid-January, threatening not to offer them contracts unless they settled before filing.

Seventy-two players filed last year, down from 90 in 2002 and 102 in 2001. Just 62 filed in 1999.

Many of those who filed are expected to settle by Tuesday when players and teams exchange proposed salaries.

CUBS: For the first time in his career, Chicago closer Joe Borowski has some security. Borowski agreed to a $4.3 million, two-year contract with the Cubs, avoiding arbitration.

Borowski converted his first six save chances, pitching so well Antonio Alfonseca never had the opportunity to get his job back. Borowski was 33-of-37 in save opportunities, with 14 coming in games he entered with a one-run lead, and he had a 2.63 ERA.

PHILLIES: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $2.4 million, one-year contract.

Rollins, 25, was an All-Star in 2001 and 2002, led the NL in triples in both seasons and tied for the stolen-base lead with 46 as a rookie in 2001.

SHORT HOPS: Seattle Mariners catcher Ben Davis avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $1.4 million, one-year contract Thursday.

• Left-hander C.J. Nitkowski agreed to a minor league deal with Atlanta and was invited to the major league spring training camp.