Agent Alan Nero said Wednesday there has been no deal completed to get manager Lou Piniella out of the last year of his contract with the Devil Rays. But he didn't say there couldn't be one in the future. "There's nothing new. There's nothing to announce. Nothing's changed," Nero said Wednesday night. "There's nothing agreed to. There's nothing formalized. There's nothing done. "When there is, I'm sure there will be a mutual press conference to announce it all." The Times reported Wednesday that Piniella is unlikely to return for the 2006 season and that talks have already been held to discuss a negotiated settlement. Piniella will make $4.4-million in salary next season and is owed about $1.6-million in deferred payments. Piniella declined to address his job status during his usual pregame media session but said he hopes it doesn't become an issue with his players. "I'm not going to comment on speculation," Piniella said. "I'm concerned about one thing, and one thing only, that this thing is as undistracting, if there is such a word, as it can be to this baseball team.