By Chris Haft
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. — An outfielder named Deion Sanders popped in for a brief visit at the Reds' spring training headquarters Thursday. Pretty soon he'll be able to stay longer.

Asked to explain his lingering yearning to play baseball, Sanders said simply: “I want to. The fire's still burning.”

Sanders brought a fielder's glove and other baseball equipment with him, though he limited his exercise to running. Baseball rules do not prohibit him from working out informally at the facility.

Reds general manager Jim Bowden said he expected to receive permission within days to sign Sanders officially to a minor-league deal. All that's necessary is the go-ahead from the other major-league GMs, which Bowden is likely to obtain.

“Basically, the commissioner's office goes to 29 clubs and asks if anyone objects to the Reds signing the player,” Bowden said. “Past history is, the clubs let him go.”

A baseball official told The Associated Press this procedure might not occur until early next week, after salary arbitration hearings end.

Sanders, a Washington Redskins cornerback who intends to attempt a baseball comeback for the second year in a row with Cincinnati, signed a non-guaranteed minor-league contract with the Reds on Jan.24. Baseball voided the deal two days later, because the Reds hadn't tendered Sanders a contract in December. That technically left him ineligible to sign with Cincinnati before May 1.

Sanders played 25 games with Triple-A Louisville last year and hit .200 with three homers, seven RBI and 10 steals.

The Reds could use a leadoff hitter with the skills Sanders displayed from the early to mid-1990s. But their outfield already is crowded, and Sanders hasn't played in the majors since 1997.