"Free-agent right fielder Jermaine Dye has made only one career appearance at first base, in 2005. Yet teams are asking his agent, Robert Bry, if he is willing to play first, and Dye is open to the idea.

Dye, 35, could be a right-handed hitting alternative at first for several clubs, including the Braves, Mets, Giants and Orioles.

His willingness to play first alone should only increase his marketability. If Dye is not going to be a DH, he might be better at first than in right at this stage of his career.

"It wouldn't surprise me at all if he had some success over there," one executive says.

The negative on Dye is that he slumped after the All-Star break last season, batting .179 with a .293 on-base percentage and .297 slugging percentage."