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Here is the latest on some of the possible transactions at Major League Baseball's winter meetings in Dallas (as of 3 p.m. PT on Thursday).

Listed after each player in parentheses are the interested teams.

FREE AGENCY RUMORS

Braden Looper, RP (Pirates, Rangers) – Having acquired Sean Casey to fill a need at first base, the Pirates have shifted their focus to adding an experienced arm to their bullpen. According to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Bucs have strong interest in both Braden Looper and Roberto Hernandez. Pittsburgh may also make a run at Antonio Alfonseca, the Gazette reports.

After cutting ties with closer Jose Mesa, the Pirates are expected to slowly work lefty Mike Gonzalez into the role. Since his 2005 season was abbreviated by injury, management would like a veteran arm to help him ease into the ninth inning. Looper saved at least 28 games in each of the last three seasons and the 41-year-old Hernandez has 324 career saves.

Jacque Jones, CF (Royals, Mariners, Orioles, Pirates) – The Royals have offers out to six free agents and the list includes Jones, who received a two-year offer, according to the Kansas City Star.

The Pirates, Orioles and Mariners also are rumored to have interest in the outfielder, who hit a career-worst .249 with 23 homers and 73 RBIs for the Twins in 2005.

Kevin Millwood, SP (Cardinals, Mariners) – Agent Scott Boras is telling anyone who will listen that Millwood deserves not A.J. Burnett money, but better. In nine big league seasons, Millwood has won 17 games three times and he was American League ERA champ in 2005 with Cleveland. Burnett, who owns a 100-mph fastball but a sub-.500 career record, signed a five-year, $55 million deal with Toronto.

According to Thursday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals and Boras have been in talks about Millwood. The Dispatch quoted a source that said the negotiation "has legs." The Mariners have reportedly lost interest in Millwood, and have instead made Matt Morris their top pitching target.

Roger Clemens, SP (Rangers, Astros) – Texas is desperate for starting pitching. Clemens wants to stay in Texas. Match made in heaven, right? Sure, if you're Texas management. "We've always loved Roger," owner Tom Hicks told the Dallas Morning News. "We look forward to seeing if he decides to keep pitching."

Hicks says he is willing to increase payroll in special situations, and acquiring a future Hall of Famer the team has coveted for many years certainly qualifies.

Bill Mueller, 3B (Pirates, Twins, Giants and Dodgers) – The Dodgers are seeking a free agent third baseman, and Mueller tops their list, the Los Angeles Daily News reported Thursday. Mueller played for new Dodgers manager Grady Miller while in Boston, a connection that could give Los Angeles the upper hand.

The Pirates have made a two-year offer to Mueller, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported on Monday. Mueller, a veteran of 10 seasons, hit .295 with 10 homers and 62 RBIs for Boston in 2005.

J.T. Snow, 1B (Padres, Dodgers, Red Sox, Royals) – San Francisco officially cut ties with Snow Thursday when it signed free agent first baseman/outfielder Mark Sweeney. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, several teams are interested in Snow, a four-time Gold Glove award winner who has seen his offensive numbers decline steadily over the past few seasons. He hit a career-low four homers with just 40 RBIs in 117 games in 2005.

Nomar Garciaparra, SS (Yankees, Padres, Indians, Blue Jays) – The Indians have stepped up with an offer and the promise of a regular position, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported Thursday. Just which position is unclear, but the Tribe reportedly would not attach a utility tag to Garciaparra.

Johnny Damon, CF (Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers) – The Boston Herald reported Wednesday that the Red Sox were finalizing a four-year, $40 offer to the free agent center fielder. The offer falls short of Damon's expectations in both dollars and duration, making it unlikely that a deal will be struck without further negotiation.

The Herald reported earlier in the week that the Yankees would be willing to offer a three-year deal to Damon, who hit .316 in 2005, his fourth season in Boston. The Red Sox are said to be targeting Minnesota's Torii Hunter as a trade possibility if they can't strike a deal with Damon.

Matt Morris, SP (Rangers, Giants, Dodgers, Mariners, Nationals) – The Mariners and Morris' agent had what the two sides are calling a "touch-base" conversation Tuesday, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. Morris won 14 games in 2005 but was just 4-8 after the All-Star break. He may well turn out to be more affordable than Millwood, who is represented by Scott Boras and may be seeking A.J. Burnett-type money.

San Francisco may be the front-runner. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Wednesday that Morris was close to a two-year deal with the Giants.

Carl Everett, OF (Mariners) – Everett won a World Series in 2005 in his second go-around with the White Sox. The club, however, declined to pick up its 2006 option on the outfielder/DH who hit .251 with 23 homers in the championship season. According to the Tacoma News-Tribune, the Mariners are very interested in the left-handed hitting slugger.

Everett rumors are hottest, but the Mariners also have been linked to talks involving Jacque Jones, Trot Nixon and Jeremy Burnitz.

Frank Thomas, DH/1B (Athletics, Twins, Orioles, Blue Jays) – The White Sox on Wednesday cut ties with Thomas, who has 448 homers in 16 big league seasons, all with Chicago. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Thomas' representatives have met with Minnesota and Oakland at the winter meetings.

As for concerns about his health, Thomas says hogwash. "I'm ready to go," Thomas told the Chicago Tribune. "I didn't like the reports that said I was at risk." In his last injury-free season (2003), Thomas hit 42 homers and drove in 105 runs.

Jarrod Washburn, SP (Nationals) – Having tried but failed to land A.J. Burnett, the Nats have shifted their focus to other arms. According to Wednesday's Washington Times, the Nationals have extended offers to Washburn, Matt Morris, Kenny Rogers and Kevin Millwood.

Mike Piazza, C (Angels) – The Angels certainly have their sights set higher after losing out on Paul Konerko, but Piazza is a possibility as a fall-back acquisition, the New York Daily News reports. According to Daily News, Piazza's agent would not give details but did say he had been contacted by seven teams, four in the American League and three in the National League.

The Angels are rumored to be pursuing offers for several players – among them Royals first baseman Mike Sweeney and former Angels third baseman Troy Glaus, who is currently with Arizona.

Reggie Sanders, RF (Royals, Cardinals, Twins, Braves, Blue Jays) – Sanders has played with seven teams since 1998, so it must be time to move on. After pursuing Brian Giles but losing out when the slugger re-upped with San Diego, the Royals have made Sanders their top free-agent target, the Kansas City Star reports. Sanders ranked third in all of baseball with 12 post-season RBIs in 2005.

Bengie Molina, C (Mets) – The Mets were hot after Molina, but the acquisition of Paul Lo Duca during the Florida firesale ended that speculation. According to the Los Angeles Times, Molina may stay with the Angels by accepting arbitration.

Mark Grudzielanek, 2B (Mets) – Grudzielanek is most likely headed to New York to compete with Kaz Matsui, according to a report in the Westchester News Journal. Grudzielanek recorded 155 hits and a career-best 59 RBIs for the Cardinals in 2005.

Octavio Dotel, RP (Rangers) – The Rangers have made an incentive-rich offer to free-agent closer Octavio Dotel, who has been sidelined since opting for reconstructive elbow surgery in June. Dotel, according to the report in the Dallas Morning News, would most likely be acquired to serve in a setup role for Texas.

Brad Ausmus, C (Diamondbacks, Astros, Padres) – Ausmus' agent confirmed contacts between his client and the Diamondbacks, according to the Arizona Republic. Ausmus hit .258 in 134 games last season, his fifth with the Astros. The 36-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best defensive catchers in baseball.

TRADE RUMORS

Barry Zito, SP (Mets) – The Athletics are listening to offers for lefty Barry Zito, but they aren't initiating trade talks. According to the New York Times, several teams are interested in Zito, but Oakland officials are informing teams that the former 23-game winner will probably not be traded.

Craig Monroe, OF (Pirates) – The Pirates have contacted the Tigers to see what it would take to pry outfielder Craig Monroe from their roster. The 28-year-old hit .277 with 20 homers and a career-best 89 RBIs for Detroit in 2005. The Tigers are seeking an experienced pitcher in return according to the report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Other than Jason Bay, Pittsburgh does not have established outfielders. Monroe is the type of player that fits into their budget, and the team is reportedly anxious to deal 1B/OF Craig Wilson.

Joey Gathright, CF (Marlins) – The Marlins are buyers. OK, not really. But with Juan Pierre gone, they have a need in center field. Joey Gathright has plenty of speed, but no guaranteed spot in the Tampa Bay lineup. According to the Miami Herald, the Marlins and Devil Rays are in talks about a possible trade. Gathright hit .276 with 20 stolen bases in 76 games for Tampa in 2005.

David Wells, SP (Padres) – The Boston Globe reported Thursday that the Athletics, Giants and Dodgers had all lost interest in pursing a deal for Wells. Oakland had been rumored to be considering a Wells for reliever Justin Duchscherer deal. Wells would like to return home, so San Diego remains his most likely destination.

Brad Wilkerson, OF (Blue Jays) – Having failed to swing a deal with the Nationals, the Blue Jays are now in talks with Texas with the goal of landing Wilkerson, who was dealt in the Alfonso Soriano trade. According to the Toronto Star, a Wilkerson deal could involve Orlando Hudson, who would fill the void at second base left by the departure of Soriano.

Kazuo Matsui, 2b (Devil Rays) – It's no secret that the Mets have been disappointed with Matsui, who enters the final year of a three-year, $20.1 million deal in 2006. He hit just .255 with a .300 on-base percentage in 2005 and was regularly booed by Mets fans. According to the New York Post, New York has been in talks with Tampa Bay about a possible deal.

Huge obstacles exist, however. Matsui would have to waive a no-trade clause to accept the deal, and the Mets would have to swallow a good chunk of his salary to unload him.

Kevin Mench, OF (Dodgers) – Communication lines are already open, as the Dodgers and Rangers were reportedly engaged in talks about second baseman Alfonso Soriano. Mench has averaged 25 homers and 72 RBIs over the past two seasons for the Rangers. According to the Los Angeles Daily News, the Rangers are asking for pitching prospect Jonathan Broxton in return.

Hank Blalock, 3B (Twins) – Blalock had another productive year in 2005, but he hit just .236 with nine homers after the All-Star break. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported Thursday that the Twins and Rangers are discussing a possible deal that would send Blalock to the Twins for pitchers J.C. Romero and either Scott Baker or Kyle Lohse.

Milton Bradley, CF (Pirates, Cubs) – Pittsburgh remains a possible destination for the Dodgers outfielder as the Pirates have actually received permission from ownership to spend (modestly) at the winter meetings. The Miami Herald, however, reported Wednesday that Bradley met with Cubs manager Dusty Baker Tuesday to discuss a possible deal.

Bradley's checkered past includes injuries and suspensions. For all the headlines, he has never topped 20 homers or 75 RBIs in a single season.

Bobby Abreu, RF (Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers) – The Phillies and Dodgers were expected to meet for a third straight day Wednesday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The rumor has Abreu and possibly veteran David Bell headed west in exchange for pitchers Derek Lowe and Brad Penny. Many obstacles exist, the Inquirer reports, including the fact that the Phillies are not convinced they can receive equal value for Abreu, who has at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in seven straight seasons.

Kris Benson, SP (Orioles, Royals) – Is Kansas City ready for Anna Benson? According to Wednesday's Kansas City Star, the Royals are offering up relievers Mike MacDougal and/or Jeremy Affeldt as bait, possibly to bolster their starting rotation. The Star characterizes the Royals as "leading contenders" for Benson, who is 57-61 in six Major League seasons, all in the National League.

Benson, who won 10 games with the Mets in 2005, had previously been linked to Baltimore in a deal involving former closer Jorge Julio.

Mike Sweeney, 1B (Angels) – It appears the Angels won't rest until they acquire a bat to protect Vlad Guerrero in the lineup. Manny Ramirez rumors are still circulating, and the L.A. Times reported Wednesday that Kansas City has offered Sweeney, reportedly in exchange for Casey Kotchman and minor leaguer Brandon Wood.

Wood, a prized shortstop prospect, had 14 homers in 29 Arizona Fall League games. He is a top 100 prospect according to Baseball America. Los Angeles, the Times reports, apparently balked at the notion of shipping a top prospect for an aging slugger with a history of back problems.

Manny Ramirez, LF (Phillies, Mets, Angels) – Boston would also love to land Brandon Wood, particularly if Edgar Renteria is shipped out of town as rumored. According to the L.A. Times, Boston's initial request included Wood and pitcher Ervin Santana in exchange for Ramirez.

Adam Dunn, LF (Orioles) – Solo home run specialist Adam Dunn reportedly is available, and the Orioles have been involved in talks. According to the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles and Reds have been discussing a deal that could result in a Dunn for LHP Erik Bedard swap.

Matt Clement, SP (Phillies, Brewers, Mariners) – Clement was just 3-4 in 14 post-All-Star starts in 2005, his first with Boston. The Red Sox are reportedly interested in dealing the 31-year-old right-hander.

According to the Boston Herald, the hottest rumors involve Clement and outfielder Trot Nixon to Philadelphia for Bobby Abreu, or a deal that would send him to Milwaukee for Lyle Overbay.

Austin Kearns, RF (Cubs) – The Reds tried to unload Kearns on the Cubs earlier this year. According to the Dayton Daily News, the talks go on. Cincinnati will reportedly accept prospects for Kearns, who hit .240 with 18 homers in 2005, a season that was interrupted by a demotion to Triple-A Louisville.

DALLAS (AP) -- No longer wanted in Texas, All-Star pitcher Kenny Rogers agreed to a $16 million, two-year contract Thursday with the Tigers that will give Detroit a veteran left-hander it hopes can provide leadership to a young rotation.

Detroit also reached an $11 million, two-year deal with free agent Todd Jones, returning the veteran closer to the team he pitched for from 1997-2001.

While team president Dave Dombrowski refused to confirm the deal with Rogers, it appears that the Tigers accomplished their primary goals during the winter meetings: adding a veteran starter and a closer.

"We've made some progress," Dombrowski said, referring to Rogers. After confirming Jones' deal, team officials said there were no more announcements Thursday.

Rogers' agent, Scott Boras, said the pitcher who turned 41 last month passed a physical Thursday. That clears the way for finalizing a contract that will pay Rogers $8 million each of the next two seasons.

Since the Rangers refused salary arbitration Wednesday night for Rogers, the Tigers won't lost any amateur draft picks to Texas as compensation.

Despite a desperate need for pitching, Texas cut ties with Rogers, who had three stints with the Rangers after they drafted him as a 17-year-old outfielder in 1982 and turned him into a pitcher. He was an All-Star his last two seasons in Texas.

Rogers was 14-8 with a 3.46 ERA this year, but will be most remembered for a videotaped tirade June 29 in which he shoved two television cameramen while walking onto the field. He was suspended for 20 games, a penalty he appealed and had reduced to 13 games.

In 687 career games (400 starts) over 17 seasons for Texas, the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Oakland, Rogers has a 190-131 record with a 4.21 ERA. He threw a perfect game in Texas against the Angels in 1994, and won a career-high 18 games for the Rangers in 2004.

The Tigers' rotation includes 23-year-old Jeremy Bonderman, along with 28-year-olds Mike Maroth and Nate Robertson.

Detroit was also interested in free agents Kevin Millwood and Jarrod Washburn, but Dombrowski said the team would pursue only one veteran starter. He wants to save a spot in the rotation that younger pitchers in the organization can compete for this spring.

Jones was 1-5 with a 2.10 ERA and 40 saves last season for the Florida Marlins, his sixth team since leaving Detroit, then became a free agent.

"I'm glad to be back. I'm glad to be in the mix," Jones said. "At this stage of my career, I have to find ways to connect. Detroit is an easy connection for me."

Jones said six or seven other clubs expressed interest, most to have him as a closer. The Tigers were the only team that would guarantee a second year.

"We've talked about having somebody at the back end of the bullpen," Dombrowski said. "Todd has had a tremendous career, had a fantastic year last year. ... He's not only got the ability, but the experience that we know we need."

The 37-year-old right-hander also has pitched for Houston (1993-96), Minnesota (2001), Colorado (2002-03), Boston (2003), Cincinnati (2004) and Philadelphia (2004). He has a 51-52 record, 3.91 ERA and 226 saves during his career.

"He's a versatile guy, a four-pitch guy who can use any pitch at any time," new Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "He's a proven quality major league pitcher and a proven quality major league person."

Also, Detroit selected Chris Booker from Washington in the winter meeting draft, then dealt the right-handed pitcher to Philadelphia for cash.

The Tigers also selected right-hander Eddie Bonine from San Diego in the Triple-A phase of the draft. Bonine pitched at Single-A and Triple-A levels last season. The Los Angeles Angels selected infielder Eric Roland from Detroit's organization.

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.

DALLAS (AP) -- The Boston Red Sox will have a whole new infield next season, and they're only halfway there.

The 2004 World Series champions traded Edgar Renteria to the Atlanta Braves on Thursday for third base prospect Andy Marte, giving up on the two-time Gold Glove shortstop just one year after making him the centerpiece of their effort to repeat.

"There was an adjustment period that may have lasted longer than you had hoped," said Bill Lajoie, who was one of four Red Sox executives at the winter meetings in the absence of a general manager. "The Braves feel he will become the shortstop of his earlier years, and I hope he does."

Renteria led the majors with 30 errors last season, his first since then-Boston GM Theo Epstein lavished a four-year, $40 million contract on him. He was the only regular infielder remaining from last season: first baseman Kevin Millar, second baseman Tony Graffanino and third baseman Bill Mueller are all free agents.

The Red Sox got Mike Lowell from Florida to play third and Mark Loretta from Milwaukee to play second, but they are still looking for a shortstop and first baseman.

"We came here to make one trade and we made two," Lajoie said. "So that's pretty good."

Lajoie said he hoped to finish off the infield in the next two or three weeks. But then he might have to turn to the outfield: center fielder Johnny Damon is a free agent and left fielder Manny Ramirez has asked for a trade.

Left-hander David Wells also asked to be traded. Lajoie said he wasn't disappointed that he wasn't able to accommodate Wells or Ramirez.

"I like those two guys," Lajoie said. "I like them on our team."

Soon after undoing one of former Epstein's worst moves, the Red Sox began rethinking one of his best. Lajoie said the team has considered bringing back Nomar Garciaparra -- but not as a shortstop.

Garciaparra was one of the most popular players in recent Red Sox history before he was shipped out at the 2004 trading deadline; the Red Sox went on to win their first World Series title in 86 years. But he is a free agent now, and willing to play any position but pitcher and catcher.

At shortstop, Lajoie said he was looking at free agents who were not offered arbitration, a group that includes Alex Gonzalez, Royce Clayton, Pokey Reese and Rey Sanchez. Marte could wind up at first base or the outfield if it's necessary to get his bat in the lineup, Lajoie said.

"We want to keep that player. ... He's ready to have a good year," he said. "He would be one of the five players you would want to start a ballclub with."

The Braves needed a shortstop after Rafael Furcal signed a three-year, $39 million free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"We had a significant gap to fill, and we believe we've done that," Braves GM John Schuerholz said. "As painful as it is to trade a player with Marte's caliber, it needed to be done. The Red Sox got a fine young player, and we're delighted to have Edgar Renteria with the Atlanta Braves."

Renteria made the last out for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2004 World Series, when Boston won it all for the first time since 1918. The Red Sox signed him to lead their defense.

But he was a liability in the field for Boston and struggled early at the plate, finishing with a .276 average, eight homers and 70 RBIs. The Red Sox had been hoping for something more like the .330 average, 13 homers and 100 RBIs he had when he won his second consecutive Gold Glove in 2003.

"We were aware of it (the dropoff), of course," Schuerholz said. "But we looked at his time in the National League and we believe that when he gets back to the National League in Atlanta he will return to the Renteria of old."

Marte, 22, batted .275 with 20 homers and 74 RBIs in 109 games in Triple-A last season, and .140 with no homers and four RBIs in 24 games with the Braves.

"This is a throwback type of third baseman," said Lajoie, a throwback type of GM. "This is the power corner that you hope will hit 25 homers when he does play in the majors."

Boston will pay $8 million of the $26 million Renteria is owed for the next three seasons. In addition, the Red Sox must pay the $3 million buyout if his $11 million option for 2009 is declined.

Renteria contract calls for him to receive a $1 million bonus from any team he is traded to. He also is owed $3 million from his signing bonus, $1 million each Jan. 15 for the next three years. That usually is paid by the original club.

Also Thursday, the Red Sox picked right-hander Jamie Vermilyea in the winter meetings draft. He must remain on Boston's 25-man roster all season or be offered back to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Vermilyea was 19-9 with eight saves and a 3.05 ERA in 99 minor league appearances. Although he struggled at the end of last season, the Red Sox were encouraged by his performance in the winter leagues.

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Free agent catcher Ramon Hernandez and the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a $27.5 million, four-year contract.

Hernandez's deal is contingent on a physical, a baseball official familiar with the negotiations said Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity. The agreement, which includes a club option for 2010, probably will not be finalized until next week, the official said.

The 29-year-old Hernandez batted .290 last season with the San Diego Padres. He had 12 home runs and 58 RBIs, but his main value is behind the plate, where he has a reputation for calling a smart game and capably handling a pitching staff.

The addition of Hernandez will mean less time behind the plate for Orioles catcher Javy Lopez, who complained of sore knees toward the end of last season. Lopez is eager to spend more time as a designated hitter and at first base.

Baltimore also might trade Lopez for a starting pitcher, one of the team's biggest needs.

Hernandez broke into the majors in 1999 with Oakland and played five seasons with the Athletics before being traded to San Diego in November 2003. In 805 career games, he's batting .262 with 90 homers and 384 RBIs.

Hernandez was enjoying an excellent 2005 season before injuring his left wrist diving back into first base at Minnesota on June 17. He had surgery on July 29, but returned to hit .349 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 83 at-bats in the last month to help the Padres win the NL West title.

He gets $4.5 million next year, $6.5 million in 2007, $7.5 million in 2008 and $8 million in 2009. Baltimore has an $8.5 million option for 2010 with a $1 million buyout.

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in Dallas contributed to this report.

DALLAS (AP) -- Even without getting a major league-ready pitcher they so desperately need, the Texas Rangers like what they got in their trade of All-Star second baseman Alfonso Soriano.

And they look forward to what might still be to come.

"We couldn't invent a deal out there that wasn't there," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Thursday. "You can't look at the trade in a vacuum. ... It allows us to pursue pitching in other ways."

The Rangers traded Soriano to the Washington Nationals late Wednesday night for outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge, and minor league pitcher Armando Galarraga, who didn't pitch above Double-A last season.

Soriano made $7.5 million this year, but is eligible for salary arbitration and almost certainly will get a substantial raise for next season. He also can become a free agent after the 2006 season.

By dumping Soriano's salary, the Rangers expect to save several million dollars that could be applied in their pursuit of a free agent pitcher, such as Matt Morris. Plus, the Rangers now have an abundance of major league outfielders that could be used in possible trades.

Daniels said the Rangers extended a contract offer to Morris on Thursday but wouldn't discuss specific terms.

"We let him know how important he would be to this club," Daniels said. "We made an offer representative of that."

Having cut ties with All-Star left-hander Kenny Rogers, who is headed to Detroit, the Rangers only returning starting pitchers were rookies this year. Chris Young was 12-7 with a 4.26 ERA in 31 starts, while Kameron Loe and Juan Dominguez finished the season in the rotation.

With a rare combination of power and speed, Soriano has been one of the most productive infielders in the majors the past four years. He hit .268 with 36 homers, 104 RBIs and 30 stolen bases last season.

After going to Texas in February 2004 in the deal that sent AL MVP Alex Rodriguez to the New York Yankees, Soriano hit .280 with 64 home runs, 195 RBIs and 48 stolen bases over two seasons with the Rangers. He's been an All-Star four straight seasons.

His name constantly cropped up in trade talks after he arrived in Texas, but being dealt to the Nationals surprised Soriano. It was the first trade completed by Daniels, who at 28 is the youngest general manager in the major leagues -- and a year younger than Soriano.

"I had a good time in Texas. I loved my teammates and I liked the team," Soriano told MLB.com on Thursday from the Dominican Republic. "In this game, you don't have control. I'm a little sad I'm leaving my friends again, but I can't do anything about that.

"It's a new team and I don't know anything about the team," he said. "You can say it's easier than the first time."

By acquiring Wilkerson and Sledge, the Rangers have six outfielders with extended major league experience. Daniels said he's had inquiries from other teams about all of them, even the newly acquired ones.

As for who can replace Soriano at second base, rookie Ian Kinsler (.274 at Triple-A Oklahoma last season) will be given a chance to win the job in spring training.

"I'm not putting pressure on him or labeling him as anything, but he's a guy that deserves an opportunity," Daniels said. "We've been consistent about wanting to promote from within our own guys. He's one of our talented youngsters that we want to give an opportunity to."

Mark DeRosa could also compete for the job, but the backup infielder got 21 of his 41 starts in the outfield last season. The Rangers also could get other options through free agency or a trade.

The Rangers traded infielder Esteban German to Kansas City on Thursday for left-handed reliever Fabio Castro, the first pick in the winter draft. Kansas City picked Castro from the Chicago White Sox organization for the Rangers to complete the deal for German.

Castro, who turns 21 in January, was 5-5 with a 2.28 ERA and 75 strikeouts at Class-A Winston-Salem last season. German hit .313 in 117 games at Triple-A Oklahoma this year, then went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases in five games for the Rangers.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The San Francisco Giants landed the proven starter they've been coveting for months.

Right-hander Matt Morris agreed to a three-year contract with the Giants, leaving the St. Louis Cardinals after nine seasons. The deal has been in the works for weeks and became official after Morris passing a physical Monday morning.

Morris went 14-10 with a 4.11 ERA last season and won his first eight decisions for the Cardinals, who lost to the Houston Astros in the NL championship series. But St. Louis didn't pursue Morris with the same fervor as the Giants, who were desperate to add a top starter to what had become a patchwork rotation the past two seasons.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean said as soon as the season ended -- the Giants missed the playoffs for the second straight year -- that upgrading the team's starting pitching was his top priority.

Morris' contract contains a club option for a fourth season.

"Simply put, Matt Morris is a winner," Sabean said. "He's a gamer who not only gives his team a chance to win every time he pitches, but as his record indicates, he's around to collect the win himself. Matt will be a perfect complement to the top of the rotation and provide valuable leadership to our younger pitchers."

Morris is 101-62 with a 3.62 ERA in his career. He became the 12th player in St. Louis franchise history to win 100 games when he beat the Giants on Aug. 20.

Morris will join right-hander Jason Schmidt in a San Francisco rotation that's undergone several changes in the last year, including the departure of Kirk Rueter and also probably Brett Tomko after San Francisco declined to offer him arbitration last week.

Returning to the rotation are left-hander Noah Lowry and top prospect Matt Cain, who made his long-awaited major league debut Aug. 29 and won two games in his seven starts as a rookie.

Trade talk and free agent scuttlebutt continue in the wake of baseball's winter meetings. Here is the latest on some of the possible transactions as of Wednesday, Dec. 14.

Listed after each player in parentheses are the interested teams.

Get more MLB news by clicking here.

FREE AGENCY RUMORS

Nomar Garciaparra, SS (Yankees, Astros, Indians) – Where will Nomar play? How you answer that question depends on how you interpret it. Before we look at the baseball diamond, let's look at a map. According to the New York Post, the Indians, Astros and Yankees have emerged as finalists. Garciaparra hit .283 with nine homers and 30 RBIs in a 2005 season cut short by a severe groin injury.

Where Nomar will play will depend on where he plays, if that makes any sense. According to the Post, the Yankees would play Garciaparra at first base. Houston would pencil him in at left field and the Indians would prefer he set up shop in right field. He is reportedly seeking a one-year deal worth roughly $8 million, but the Yankees' latest offer is said to be about half that.

Johnny Damon, CF (Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers) – Joe Torre doesn't work the phones like a guy with unlimited minutes. New York's manager reserves phone calls for only high-priority free agent targets. Johnny Damon apparently qualifies. According to Newsday, Torre and Damon spoke Tuesday. The high-level coaxing may be necessary to bridge the contract duration gap – Damon and his agent want five years, the Yankees have reportedly offered four.

The Dodgers remain interested, but according to the Boston Herald, they consider themselves long shots to acquire the services of the 32-year-old center fielder. The reason? Los Angeles feels Damon will most likely return to the Red Sox.

Frank Thomas, DH/1B (Athletics, Twins, Orioles, Blue Jays) – The addition of Milton Bradley does not necessarily signal the end of Oakland's interest in Frank Thomas, the Contra Costa Times reported Wednesday. The A's are expected to make a formal contract offer this week.

Thomas has 448 homers in 16 big league seasons, all with the White Sox.

Jacque Jones, CF (Royals, Orioles, Pirates, Cubs) – The Royals have offered Jones a three-year deal worth about $15 million, the Tacoma News-Tribune reported Wednesday. Jones and his agent are weighing the offer, but the outfielder reportedly wants to play for a contender. The Royals lost 106 games in 2005.

Jones hit a career-worst .249 for the Twins last season, though his production in other categories (23 homers, 73 RBIs, four errors) was on par with his career averages.

Jarrod Washburn, SP (Mariners, Nationals) – The Mariners have their eyes on Washburn as a fall-back option if Kevin Millwood signs elsewhere. Washburn was 8-8 with the Angels last season, his eighth in Southern California. Seattle also has tepid interest in free-agent righty Scott Elarton, the Tacoma News-Tribune reports.

Brett Tomko, SP (Nationals) – Having lost Esteban Loaiza to free agency, the Nationals are hoping to add a top-of-the-rotation quality starter. Easier said than done. According to the Washington Post, the Nats are long shots to land Kevin Millwood or Jarrod Washburn, two pitchers they covet.

Plan B, the Post reports, includes names like Brett Tomko and Shawn Estes. Tomko was a 15-game loser for the Giants in 2005 and Estes was 7-8 in his first season with the Diamondbacks.

Julian Tavares, RP (Mets) – Billy Wagner will close for the Mets. Who will set him up? The club parted ways with Braden Looper and Roberto Hernandez, two pitchers who combined for 127 appearances in 2005. Aaron Heilman is a candidate to step up his late-inning profile, but New York may find its primary set-up guy elsewhere.

According to the New York Daily News, the Mets are interested in Julian Tavares and may be prepared to offer the 32-year-old a four-year deal. Tavares was 2-3 with a 3.43 ERA in 2005.

Mark Grudzielanek, 2B (Royals, Mets, Rangers) – The Royals have stepped up efforts to sign free agent second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, the Kansas City Star reports. Grudzielanek hit .294 with eight homers and 59 RBIs in 2005, his first season with the Cardinals.

Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B (Royals) – The promise of a full-time role may lure Mientkiewicz to Kansas City, the Newark Star-Ledger reported Wednesday. Mientkiewicz played in 87 games for the Mets in 2005, hitting .240 with 11 homers and 29 RBIs. Kansas City is expected to use Mike Sweeney as a designated hitter more often next season.

TRADE RUMORS

Miguel Tejada, SS (Cubs, Mets, Red Sox) – Whether or not he ever asked to be traded is up for debate. There is no doubt, however, that several teams would love to acquire the all-star shortstop. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs officials contacted the Orioles Saturday to check on Tejada's availability. The 29-year-old former MVP hit .298 with 26 homers and 98 RBIs in 2005, but is reportedly fed up that Baltimore has not upgraded its roster while other teams, like the Blue Jays, have made headline-grabbing moves.

According to the Sun-Times, Boston has offered Manny Ramirez in exchange for Tejada, and the Mets are rumored to be exploring the possibility of a three-team deal that could bring Tejada to New York.

Matt Clement, SP (Phillies, Brewers, Mariners) – Clement, who was just 3-4 in 14 post-All-Star starts in 2005, could be Boston's ticket to acquire a new center fielder if Johnny Damon accepts an offer elsewhere. According to the Boston Globe the Red Sox have discussed a possible Clement for Jeremy Reed deal with Seattle.

Reed, originally a hot prospect in the White Sox organization, hit .254 in his first full season in the majors last season. Clement would give Seattle a veteran arm to pair with Felix Hernandez in the starting rotation.

Kevin Mench, OF (Pirates, Dodgers) – According to a report in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Pirates remain in the market for a right fielder. Mench, who has averaged 25 homers and 72 RBIs the past two seasons in Texas, is a target. The Rangers would reportedly accept a pitching prospect. Talks have also included Laynce Nix, the Tribune-Review reports.

-Yahoo! Sports Report

CHICAGO (AP) -- General manager Ken Williams' goal even before the Chicago White Sox won their first World Series in 88 years was to make the team a perennial contender, not a one-year wonder.

Chicago's latest move in a busy offseason was to bolster an already tough starting rotation by agreeing to acquire right-hander Javier Vazquez from Arizona for right-hander Orlando Hernandez, reliever Luis Vizcaino and minor league outfielder Chris Young.

The deal is contingent on the players passing physicals, which were in the process of being scheduled, and it must be approved by commissioner Bud Selig because Arizona is sending the White Sox cash to help pay part of Vazquez's salary. The amount of cash wasn't immediately known, but only 25 percent of it will be paid in 2006.

The agreement was confirmed Wednesday by a baseball official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been finalized.

It would be the fourth major offseason move by the White Sox since Chicago won its first World Series since 1917.

The White Sox re-signed first baseman Paul Konerko, traded center fielder Aaron Rowand to the Phillies for DH Jim Thome and acquired utility player Rob Mackowiak from the Pirates for reliever Damaso Marte. Chicago also cut ties with two-time MVP Frank Thomas and DH Carl Everett by not offering them salary arbitration.

Williams was not available to comment on the trade Wednesday. But during a conference call Tuesday, he expressed his philosophy on changing the face of a championship team.

"We're not looking to break up anything, we're looking to add to the equation," he said. "We're looking to get better and to get better for a longer period of time. We just have to be careful, especially in an exploding pitchers' market out there."

New Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes did not return a telephone message left at his office.

The trade would give Arizona a starter to replace Vazquez, provide help in what was a shaky bullpen and give the team a young option in center field, where Shawn Green played out of position last season.

Vazquez filed a formal trade demand Nov. 10, the right of veteran players dealt during multiyear contracts. Arizona had until March 15 to trade him or risk having Vazquez become a free agent.

He is owed $11.5 million next year and $12.5 million in 2007.

Vazquez was obtained by the New York Yankees from Montreal after the 2003 season and was an All-Star in his first season with New York, going 14-9 with a 4.75 ERA. But he won just one of his last nine regular-season starts and was traded to Arizona last January as part of the deal that sent Randy Johnson to the Yankees. He went 11-15 with a 4.42 ERA for the Diamondbacks this year.

Vazquez has an 89-93 career record, pitching for the Montreal Expos, the Yankees and the Diamondbacks.

Hernandez has a career record of 70-49, spending most of his time in the major leagues with the Yankees.

El Duque started last season in Chicago's rotation and was 7-2 before the All-Star break and 2-7 afterward. He had two stints on the disabled list with a sore shoulder.

The veteran right-hander made the postseason roster as a reliever and pitched out of bases-loaded jams in the third games of both the division series win over the Red Sox and the World Series victory against the Astros.

Williams also said that both Jose Contreras and Jon Garland, who could become free agents after the 2006 season, have been or will be offered extensions.

"Should either of them make the business decision that they wish to test the free-agent market and rebuff any of our overtures, I'll respect that, being what the market is, and move forward with my own set of business decisions that ensures that we are competitive not only now, but also in the near future," Williams said.

The other members of the rotation are Mark Buehrle, who is signed for 2006 with the club holding an option for 2007, and Freddy Garcia, signed through 2007.

The White Sox also have 6-foot-7 Brandon McCarthy, who was impressive down the stretch as a rookie, going 3-1 in the final month when he made five starts.

El Duque is signed for next year, with a base salary of $4,625,000. He can earn an additional $2 million in bonuses based on innings, getting the full amount if he pitches 205 innings

Vizcaino joined the White Sox last season as part of a trade with Milwaukee that also landed Chicago leadoff hitter Scott Podsednik and sent Carlos Lee to the Brewers. He pitched well in the second half after a slow start and finished 6-5 with a 3.73 ERA.

Young batted .277 with 26 homers and 77 RBIs for Double-A Birmingham last season and was one of Chicago's top prospects.

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York and sports writer Bob Baum in Phoenix contributed to this report.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Nomar Garciaparra is considering the New York Yankees and three other teams, his agent said Wednesday.

The free agent has said he is willing to consider playing any position other than pitcher or catcher. The Yankees could platoon him with Jason Giambi at first base and use him as a backup in the outfield or at other infield spots. Manager Joe Torre said Tuesday he had spoken with Garciaparra.

"Nomar had a good conversation with Joe Torre this week," agent Arn Tellem said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "The Yankees are one of four teams that Nomar is considering. We are in the process of reviewing the options and we hope to make a decision in the near future."

Tellem did not identify the other teams.

New Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said he'd made an offer to Garciaparra.

"I'd like to talk to him before I comment on that," Colletti said when asked about the possibility of Garciaparra playing the outfield. "He has been an infielder most of his career. That doesn't mean he couldn't make the switch to left field."

Other major league officials said the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros also were interested in signing the 32-year-old Garciaparra, a five-time All-Star who won consecutive AL batting titles with Boston from 1999-00. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because negotiations were ongoing.

Garciaparra hit .283 with nine homers and 30 RBIs in just 230 at-bats for the Chicago Cubs last season. He missed 3 1/2 months after tearing his groin while leaving the batter's box on April 20 and switched from shortstop to third base late in the year after Aramis Ramirez got hurt.

AP Sports Writer John Nadel in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Five-time All-Star Nomar Garciaparra agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Team spokesman Josh Rawitch said Sunday that Garciaparra passed a physical and will be introduced Monday at a Dodger Stadium news conference.

Garciaparra also considered the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros. He spent several hours with Dodgers executives Thursday and Friday -- the first day with agent Arn Tellem, the second with his wife, former soccer star Mia Hamm. Garciaparra and Hamm live in suburban Manhattan Beach.

The 32-year-old Garciaparra was considered one of baseball's best shortstops for several years while playing with the Boston Red Sox, and won the AL batting title in 1997. But his playing time was limited during the past two years because of injuries.

He hit .283 with nine homers and 30 RBIs in 62 games for the Chicago Cubs last season, when he earned $8.25 million. He tore his left groin running out of the batter's box in St. Louis on April 20 and didn't return until Aug. 5.

Garciaparra most likely will play first base or the outfield with the Dodgers. He played mostly third base after returning to the Cubs last August. New Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said Garciaparra seemed open to changing positions during his meetings late last week.

Colletti has had a busy December, hiring manager Grady Little and adding three free agents -- shortstop Rafael Furcal, third baseman Bill Mueller and Garciaparra. Mueller also won a batting title while playing for the Red Sox, in 2003.

Garciaparra played under Little in 2002-03 with the Red Sox, and was teammates with pitcher Derek Lowe and Mueller in Boston. Lowe signed a four-year contract with the Dodgers last winter.

Garciaparra played his entire career for the Red Sox until being traded to the Cubs in July 2004.

Colletti has also made it clear he's interested in acquiring outfield help, a left-handed reliever and a starter.

The Dodgers went 71-91 last season, their second-poorest record since moving from Brooklyn in 1958. The team parted ways with manager Jim Tracy on Oct. 3 -- the day after the season ended -- and fired general manager Paul DePodesta on Oct. 29.

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle Mariners found the starting pitcher they've been looking for this offseason, and Jarrod Washburn got the multiyear contract he's always wanted.

Washburn agreed to a $37.5 million, four-year deal with the Mariners on Monday, leaving the AL West champion Los Angeles Angels for a team coming off consecutive last-place finishes.

"Jarrod is a proven major league winner who immediately makes us better in the starting rotation," Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi said.

And apparently, so ends a spending spree the Mariners hope will return them to the top of the division.

Last month, they signed Japanese catcher Kenji Johjima to a $16.5 million, three-year deal. Two weeks ago, they brought back 43-year-old starter Jamie Moyer for one year and $5.5 million. And they also added former White Sox designated hitter Carl Everett for one season at $4 million.

Now comes Washburn. He gets a hefty sum for a pitcher who has just one season with more than 11 wins.

"The market is what it is," Bavasi said.

But the GM also said he was satisfied with what Seattle has accomplished since the season ended -- sort of.

"At the start of this offseason, our goals were to acquire a high-quality starting pitcher, add offense, re-sign Jamie Moyer and, ideally, upgrade our catching," he said. "Today's announcement marks the final -- and perhaps most important -- in that offseason list."

For Washburn, it is the first multiyear contract the self-described Wisconsin farm boy has had in the major leagues.

"It's something I've always been working for," he said. "But I'm from a small town in northwest Wisconsin. It doesn't cost a lot to live there. I drive a pickup truck."

Washburn acknowledged this was a good winter to be a free-agent pitcher.

"Yeah, I did think about that," he said with a grin.

The Mariners approached agent Scott Boras about acquiring Washburn or Kevin Millwood. But when Boras insisted Millwood would sign only a five-year deal, Washburn became the target.

The left-hander went 8-8 with a 3.20 ERA in 29 starts for Los Angeles last season. He is 75-57 with a 3.93 ERA during his eight-year career, all with the Angels.

He joins a team that has lost 192 games over the past two seasons. But Washburn is confident the Mariners will rebound because of quality players such as Ichiro Suzuki, Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson.

"There's no question in my mind this team is going to be good," Washburn said.

His best season came when he went 18-6 during the Angels' 2002 run to the World Series championship. This October, he started Game 2 of the AL championship series against the Chicago White Sox after recovering from strep throat. He allowed an unearned run and four hits in 4 2-3 innings. His illness forced him to miss a scheduled start in the previous round against the New York Yankees.

Besides Washburn and Moyer, the Mariners have 19-year-old phenom Felix Hernandez, who went 4-4 with a 2.67 ERA as a rookie last season. Called up to the majors on Aug. 4, he struck out 77 and walked 23.

The Mariners, who lost 93 games this year and 99 in 2004, must decide by Tuesday night's deadline whether to offer contracts to Gil Meche and Ryan Franklin, two other members of their rotation. Both are eligible for arbitration.

Bavasi would not say what will happen. But -- for what it's worth -- a team letter sent to season-ticket holders Monday listed Meche on the roster and omitted Franklin.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Fans at Yankee Stadium will be chanting "Bernie! Bernie!" again next year.

The Yankees announced Thursday that they had agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the popular outfielder, who has been in pinstripes since 1991 and compiled statistics that put his name alongside the team's greatest players.

"He ranks right there with the Gehrigs and the Berras and the Ruths and the Mantles," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.

Williams' playing time will be reduced following this week's agreement with Johnny Damon, who takes over as the starting center fielder. The shaggy-haired and bearded Damon passed his physical Thursday and got a haircut, a Yankees official said, and the team called a Friday news conference to finalize his $52 million, four-year contract.

Williams had 485 at-bats last season, starting 99 games in center and 22 at designated hitter.

"There were no promises made in terms of certain amount of at-bats or where," Cashman said. "It could materialize as a pinch hitter, a DH, a pinch runner, an everyday outfielder, a defender whether it's left field, center field. It just remains to be seen."

Williams is now 37, but despite his diminished skills he remains a favorite of teammates and fans. He joins Yogi Berra, Frank Crosetti, Bill Dickey, Whitey Ford, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Mantle as the only players to spend 16 seasons with the Yankees.

"I'm happy to have him in the fold. He's a gem," owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement.

Williams did not participate in the finalization of his contract, leaving it to agent Scott Boras, and Williams wasn't on the conference call to announce the deal.

"I know he's not an easy guy to track down in the winter," Cashman said.

Williams' contract allows him to earn an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses -- $115,384.62 for each 25 plate appearances from 150 through 450. New York had declined a $15 million option, electing to pay a $3.5 million buyout that concluded an $87.5 million, seven-year contract.

Boras, who also represents Damon, said Williams could have gotten more money elsewhere.

"He took a lot less to come back to the Yankees because he values the Yankees tradition," Boras said.

Williams signed with the Yankees in 1985, took over as the regular center fielder in 1993 and helped lead the Yankees to four World Series titles and six AL pennants from 1996-03.

While he is a five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, Williams batted just .249 with 12 homers and 64 RBIs in 485 at-bats last season, and his defense cost the team. Still, he is close to manager Joe Torre and his importance to the team goes beyond statistics.

Williams is taking over a reserve role held by Ruben Sierra since 2003.

"Quite frankly, he can do some things more than the individual who held that position the previous years," Cashman said.

Cashman said this agreement was "putting him in position to continue to hopefully remain only a Yankee for life and be one of those rare guys in this era to stay with one team."

"That," Cashman said, "is something extremely special and rare."

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Free agent pitcher Jason Johnson agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians on Monday, just hours before Kevin Millwood agreed to join the Texas Rangers.

Johnson went 8-13 with a 4.55 ERA in a career-high 210 innings last season for Detroit. The 32-year-old right-hander could earn as much as $11.5 million over two years in a deal that includes a mutual option for 2007.

Johnson and Paul Byrd, signed by the Indians this month, join C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee and Jake Westbrook in one of the AL's deepest rotations. The newcomers will try to replace Scott Elarton, who signed with Kansas City, and Millwood, who got a $60 million, five-year deal from Texas.

Millwood signed a one-year package with Cleveland last winter that linked his pay to his health. He was plagued by arm problems while in Philadelphia but led the AL in ERA and helped mentor the Indians' young staff.

Indians general manager Mark Shapiro has said since the season ended that it would be a long shot to keep Millwood.

"With him not accepting arbitration and us having five starters under contract, it definitely takes us out of the Kevin Millwood competition at this point," Shapiro said.

With Millwood pricing himself out of Cleveland and Shapiro not wanting to complete the rotation with a young pitcher, the Indians turned to the 6-foot-6 Johnson, who has made at least 32 starts in four of the past five seasons. His contract includes a club option for 2007.

"We always look at dependability and reliability as being two main criteria," Shapiro said. "Beyond being a dependable person, Jason is among the elite in the amount of innings he's provided his teams in recent years."

Those teams, Baltimore and Detroit, have lost an average of 93 games the past five seasons, hurting Johnson's record. He is 52-86 during his nine-year career, which also included stints with losing teams in Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay.

"It's going to be nice to be on a team like this that has a chance to win every time it takes the field," Johnson said. The Indians finished second in the AL Central behind Chicago in 2005.

The biggest obstacles for Johnson have been pitching with diabetes and remaining strong in the second half of the season. Johnson said working out too much after the All-Star break -- not his ailment -- caused him to wear down before he altered his exercise routine last season.

"It took me seven years to figure out what to do to stay strong the whole year," he said.

Johnson has a $3.5 million salary and the option price will be equal to his 2006 salary, including performance bonuses. He would get the $500,000 buyout if Cleveland declines the option. If the Indians exercise the option and he declines it, he still would get the buyout, unless he pitched fewer than 205 innings in 2006. He can earn $2 million in performance bonuses each year.

He would get $100,000 each for 29 and 31 starts, and $200,000 for 33 starts. He also would get $100,000 each for 175 and 185 innings, $150,000 each for 190 and 195 innings, $200,000 each for 200 and 205 innings, $300,000 for 210 innings and $400,000 for 215 innings.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Free agent pitcher Kevin Millwood reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a $60 million, five-year contract with Texas, giving the Rangers the legitimate No. 1 starter they have been seeking.

Texas can void the fifth year of the deal if Millwood doesn't pitch a certain number of innings in earlier years of the contract. Millwood is expected to undergo a physical Tuesday in Texas, and the deal likely will be finalized Wednesday.

Details of the deal were disclosed by two people familiar with negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been finalized. Millwood's decision to accept Texas' offer was first reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on its Web site.

Millwood was 9-11 with a 2.86 ERA that led the American League this year, his only season for Cleveland. The right-hander, who turned 31 Saturday, rejected a salary arbitration offer from the Indians.

Millwood, who also was sought by Boston, will be the No. 1 starter in a revamped Texas rotation, already bolstered by two trades this month. The Rangers got former All-Star right-hander Vicente Padilla from Philadelphia and acquired Adam Eaton from San Diego.

The only returning starters for Texas are Kameron Loe and Juan Dominguez. They ended the season in the rotation, Dominguez making only 10 starts and Loe eight.

In nine major league seasons, Millwood is 107-75 with a 3.76 ERA. He won at least 17 games in three of his six seasons with Atlanta (1997-2002) and was an All-Star in 1999. He pitched two seasons for Philadelphia before going to Cleveland last year.

Millwood's agent, Scott Boras, also negotiated big-money deals that brought Alex Rodriguez ($252 million, 10-year deal in December 2000) and Chan Ho Park to the Rangers. A-Rod and Park have since been traded.

Park signed a $65 million, five-year contract in December 2001 to be the Rangers' No. 1 starter. But he had five stints on the disabled list and was 22-23 with a 5.79 ERA in 64 starts before being traded to the Padres in July, with cash, for Phil Nevin.

After Park's failure, Rangers owner Tom Hicks said he wouldn't give any more five-year contracts to pitchers. When the pursuit of Millwood began, after Texas was spurned in its attempts to get Matt Morris and Josh Beckett, Hicks said he'd offer a fifth year only with certain protections included.

Hicks didn't respond Monday night to an e-mail seeking comment. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels, who was out of town, didn't return messages left on his cell phone.

Millwood made $7 million last season in Cleveland. He had signed a one-year deal with the Indians after being bothered by elbow swelling that limited him to 25 starts for the Phillies in 2004. While Millwood was 9-6 with a 4.85 in his last season for Philadelphia, he won only two games after hurting his right elbow.

Texas' No. 1 starter last season was All-Star left-hander Kenny Rogers, another Boras client. He was 14-8 with a 3.46 ERA, but the Rangers didn't want the 41-year-old left-hander back after a videotaped tirade June 29 in which he shoved two television cameramen on the field.

Rogers, who has spent 12 of his 17 major league seasons during three stints in Texas, signed a $16 million, two-year deal with Detroit.

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.

Team by Team

Baltimore Orioles Updated:12/27/2005
Chicago's Daily Southtown says the latest speculation about a trade involving Baltimore shortstop Miguel Tejada has Cubs pitcher Mark Prior and Oakland pitcher Barry Zito going to Baltimore with O's pitcher Erik Bedard going to Oakland and Tejada landing with the Cubs.

Boston Red Sox Updated:12/27/2005
Boston newspapers say the Red Sox continue to pursue J.T. Snow as a backup and defensive replacement for Kevin Youkilis.

Colorado Rockies Updated:12/27/2005
The Rockies are showing interest in speedy free-agent infielder Willie Harris, says the Denver Post.

TORONTO (AP) -- Troy Glaus got a look at the rebuilt Toronto Blue Jays and waived his right to block a trade up north.

The Arizona Diamondbacks dealt the power-hitting Glaus and top minor league shortstop prospect Sergio Santos to the Blue Jays on Tuesday for Gold Glove second baseman Orlando Hudson and pitcher Miguel Batista.

"With the moves that they made, and things that they've been able to do, this team seems poised to make a run. We're young and very, very talented," said Glaus, who had a limited no-trade clause that included the Blue Jays.

Toronto, expanding its payroll from $45 million to about $75 million, has been one of the most active teams this offseason.

The Blue Jays added front line starter A.J. Burnett and first baseman Lyle Overbay. They also gave closer B.J. Ryan a five-year, $47 million contract -- the most lucrative deal for a reliever.

Glaus also weighed whether he wanted to play on turf, but he talked to Toronto's Reed Johnson and Anaheim's Garret Anderson and decided he could play on the new turf at the Rogers Centre.

"Once I got that alleviated in my mind and I looked at the roster, the decision became fairly easy," Glaus said.

The Blue Jays, lacking punch since Carlos Delgado left as a free agent after the 2004 season, were thrilled to get him.

"He's the big bopper we were looking for," Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. "We never in our wildest dreams thought we'd get two bats and two pitchers."

Glaus led Arizona in homers (37) and RBIs (97), playing in 149 games in his only season with the Diamondbacks despite occasional flare-ups of a strained tendon in the back of his left knee.

He was the 2002 World Series MVP for Anaheim, following a season in which he had a career-high 111 RBIs. In 2000, Glaus led the AL with 47 homers.

Toronto is expected to make more trades because adding Glaus creates a glut at the corner infield positions. Glaus prefers playing third base, but the Blue Jays already have Corey Koskie, a Canadian. Shea Hillenbrand and Eric Hinske are also on the team.

Ricciardi said Glaus will play third and Overbay will man first. Ricciardi mentioned Hillenbrand in his plans, but didn't say anything about Hinske, whose production has declined.

He hadn't spoken to Koskie.

"When Corey came here, Hinske moved over. We have all the respect in the world for Corey but Troy gets the nod," Ricciardi said.

Batista, 34, had 31 saves last season, his second with the Blue Jays and first as their closer. He went 29-26 in 76 starts and 44 relief appearances with the Diamondbacks from 2001-03.

Hudson, 28, is a career .271 hitter and a spectacular defensive player.

Glaus is due to make $10.5 million next season as part of a $45 million, four-year contract he agreed to last December.

Batista will move into Arizona's starting rotation, general manager Josh Byrnes said.

"He pitched well (as a starter) in Arizona and his first year in Toronto," Byrnes said. "He did well, and that at this point is a greater area of need for our club."

Batista was 29-26 and made 76 starts for the Diamondbacks from 2001-03. He was 11-8 with a 4.58 ERA as part of the rotation for Arizona's World Series championship team in 2001. Batista didn't allow a run in eight innings in the seven-game World Series triumph over the New York Yankees. He signed with the Blue Jays as a free agent in 2004 and was converted to a closer last season.

The trade clears the way for Chad Tracy to return to third base for Arizona, the position he played as a rookie in 2004. When Glaus was signed, Tracy moved to first base and played some in the outfield last season. Tracy led the Diamondbacks with a .308 average last season.

Tony Clark and Connor Jackson are expected to share time at first for Arizona.

The acquisition of Hudson means Craig Counsell will shift to shortstop. Hudson hit .270 in four seasons with Toronto. This year, he batted .271 with 63 RBIs and 10 home runs.

The Diamondbacks were willing to part with Santos, who hit .288 with 68 RBIs and 12 home runs for Triple-A Tucson last season, because of the rise of Stephen Drew through the minor league system.

Drew hit .389 for Class A Lancaster last season, and spent the final few weeks with Double-A Tennessee, where he batted .218 with four home runs and 13 RBIs in 27 games. Byrnes said Drew probably needs another season in the minors before he is ready for the majors.

AP Sports Writer Bob Baum in Phoenix contributed to this story.

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Jeromy Burnitz finalized his $6.7 million, one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates after taking a physical Wednesday, but only after the unhappy Baltimore Orioles said the outfielder's agent backed out of a two-year deal.

Burnitz's Pirates contract calls for a $6 million salary this year and a $6 million mutual option for 2007 with a $700,000 buyout if the team declines its option. Baltimore thought Burnitz had agreed to a $12 million, two-year contract with the Orioles last week.

"My feeling is we had an agreement," Orioles vice president of baseball operations Jim Duquette said Wednesday. "Obviously, the agent didn't feel we did. My personal feeling is it sets a bad precedent when that's allowed to happen."

Burnitz never took the physical called for in that agreement. Burnitz's agent, Howard Simon, said that language regarding the physical resulted in the breakdown of Baltimore's deal.

"There was harsh, intimidating language that appears to be very subjective and open-ended. ... The club almost has the right to do whatever it wants, at its option," Simon said. "That's how complicated the language is. The other clubs simply have one line that states it is subject to the player passing a physical. That's what Pittsburgh's document has."

Because of the contract language, Burnitz and Simon apparently felt the Orioles could have delayed completing the deal for as long as they wanted after the physical -- even while shopping for other players, such as Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez.

Duquette thinks Burnitz simply had a change of heart. An Orioles official he didn't identify spoke with Burnitz last weekend.

"We got hold of the player, and the player said he had a change of heart and for family reasons wanted to play in the National League because of the trips to San Diego and Los Angeles, which are close to home," Duquette said. "I'll believe that over the other one."

Duquette said that in 15 years of negotiating contracts he has never had a player not finalize a deal because of the language concerning the physical.

"I'll believe what the player said and give him the benefit of the doubt," Duquette said.

Simon is unhappy that the Orioles are trying to paint Burnitz as the villain and said the ballclub broke an agreement that neither side would disclose the signing until the contract was finalized.

"I stuck to my end of it and if they had, they wouldn't be wearing so much egg on their face," Simon said. "There is never a deal until it's done, and done means everything, all the terms and conditions have to be agreed up, not just some of them. I'm not looking to throw darts, but the fact of the matter is it's really a Baltimore problem."

Duquette said, "A lot of agents don't sign term sheets. They just say, `We have an agreement, get on a plane and go take a physical.' "

The Pirates wound up with Burnitz a year after actively pursuing him, only to have him sign with the Cubs. But Simon said Burnitz remembered how Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield made an aggressive push for him last season.

"We need to score more runs, and he can be a big part of that," Littlefield said.

Burnitz is the third veteran position player added by the Pirates during the offseason, joining first baseman Sean Casey and third baseman Joe Randa. Burnitz's acquisition could push outfielder-first baseman Craig Wilson back to the bench followed an injury-filled 2005 season in which two hand injuries limited him to five homers in 197 at-bats. Wilson had a team-high 29 homers in 2004.

Burnitz can make $250,000 each year in performance bonuses: $50,000 for 140 games played and $100,000 each for 150 and 155 games.

Burnitz, who turns 37 in April, played in 150 games in 2004 with the Rockies and 160 games last season for the Cubs, when he hit 24 homers and drove in 87 runs. He has 92 homers while playing for four clubs over the last three seasons, and has three homers in 92 career at-bats in PNC Park.

To make room for Burnitz on their 40-man roster, the Pirates designated infielder J.J. Furmaniak for assignment.

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Carlos Beltran has heard the rumors, that the New York Mets inquired about a possible trade for Manny Ramirez.

While trade talk between the Boston Red Sox and Mets appears to have cooled, Beltran would love to have Ramirez alongside him in the Mets outfield this year.

"If it happens, that would be great," Beltran said Thursday during a telephone conference call. "Who doesn't want to have Manny on the ballclub? Who doesn't want to have that bat on the ballclub?"

Beltran spoke several times during the offseason with Carlos Delgado, the hard-hitting first baseman the Mets acquired from the Florida Marlins to boost their offense and said that he spoke with Delgado just as reports of the trade were breaking. Beltran acknowledged that a deal for Ramirez likely was a long shot.

"I think for the Mets to be able to get that done, it has to be a perfect deal," he said. "If it doesn't happen, I think right now with what we've got, we can accomplish what we need to do."

Beltran struggled during his first season with the Mets, who signed him to a $119 million, seven-year contract last December. He was bothered by a leg injury, then had a head-to-head collision with right fielder Mike Cameron during an August game at San Diego, which left Beltran with occasional dizziness for a month.

Beltran batted .266 with 16 homers, 78 RBIs and 17 steals. In 2004, he played for Kansas City and Houston, combining to hit .267 with 38 homers, 104 RBIs and 42 steals. In the 12 playoff games with the Astros, he had eight homers, 14 RBIs and six steals, a performance he acknowledge "was something special."

"2005 was for me a year of adjustment. I was playing all my career in a small market. Being able to sign with a big-market team in New York and playing over there was a little bit different," he said. "I know that if I stay healthy, I know I'm capable of doing a lot of good things on the baseball field, and I know I can help the team win ballgames and win the division."

Notes

The Mets will open spring training Feb. 16, with pitchers and catchers starting workouts on Feb. 18. Position players report Feb. 21 and start workouts two days later.

BOSTON (AP) -- J.T. Snow and the Boston Red Sox reached a preliminary agreement on a $2 million, one-year contract.

Snow must pass a physical before the deal can be finalized, a person with knowledge of the agreement said Friday on the condition of anonymity.

Snow, a 37-year-old first baseman who spent the past nine seasons with San Francisco, is likely to share playing time with Kevin Youkilis. A career .268 hitter and known for good defense, Snow also has played for the California Angels and New York Yankees in 14 major league seasons.

His best offensive season came in 1997, his first year with the Giants, when he hit .281 with 28 home runs and 104 RBIs.

Snow's deal, which was first reported by ESPN.com, does not contain any provisions for performance bonuses.

Red Sox spokesman Peter Chase said the team had no official comment on Snow.

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.

Team by Team

Baltimore Orioles Updated:01/06/2006
According to the Baltimore Sun and Chicago Tribune, the Orioles are close to acquiring CF Corey Patterson from the Chicago Cubs for a minor-leaguer who is not among Baltimore's top five prospects.

Boston Red Sox Updated:01/06/2006
Several New England-area newspapers say chances of the Red Sox finding a deal to ship away OF Manny Ramirez are diminishing making it likely the slugger will be back with the team next season.

Minnesota Twins Updated:01/05/2006
According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins have rejected an offer to take 3B Corey Koskie from Toronto, that had the Blue Jays willing to pay $3 million of the $11.5 million Koskie is owed over the next two seasons and not demanding premium prospects in return.

New York Yankees Updated:01/06/2006
The Yankees are close to signing Leiter to a minor league contract to compete for a bullpen job in spring training, says the New York Post.

Oakland Athletics Updated:01/06/2006
Although he yet to gain clearance to play baseball, former White Sox slugger Frank Thomas remains a target of the A's, says the San Francisco Chronicle.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- After the shock of being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers had worn off, the next thing Corey Koskie thought about was steak.

"Milwaukee has one of my favorite steakhouses," Koskie said Friday night by phone from his offseason home in Minnesota. "I don't know these guys at all, so I don't know what I bring yet. I've watched them play, and I've been impressed with the way they play the game."

Koskie was traded by Toronto to Milwaukee late Friday night for minor league pitcher Brian Wolfe. The third baseman became expendable after the Blue Jays acquired slugger Troy Glaus last month.

"Corey brings a presence to a ballclub," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "I've seen enough of him through the years, we felt we could upgrade defensively with him."

Koskie hit .249 with 11 home runs and 36 RBIs in 97 games last season, his first with the Blue Jays after spending the first seven years of his career with the Minnesota Twins. He was on the disabled list from May 20 to July 26 because of a broken right thumb.

"I've been taught to play the full nine innings," Koskie said. "I play hard. I have the wounds to prove it."

The 32-year-old Koskie gives the Brewers an experienced player to complement a young infield that also includes 21-year-old first baseman Prince Fielder, 23-year-old second baseman Rickie Weeks and 23-year-old shortstop J.J. Hardy.

Bill Hall, 26, also had a solid season playing mostly shortstop and third base last year.

"He adds a lot with us having such a young infield in Hall, Hardy, Weeks and Fielder. He's a left-handed bat. He's a great addition," Melvin said.

Hall batted .291 with 17 homers, 62 RBIs and 18 stolen bases last season, and Melvin sounded confident that he would get adequate playing time.

"Billy will find his way. Every year he seems to get his 400 or so at-bats. Things will work themselves out there," Melvin said.

It was the second significant trade the teams have made this offseason. The Blue Jays acquired first baseman Lyle Overbay and minor league right-hander Ty Taubenheim from Toronto for right-hander Dave Bush, minor league left-hander Zach Jackson and outfield prospect Gabe Gross at the winter meetings in Dallas last month. That paved the way for Fielder, a top power-hitting prospect, to play every day.

Milwaukee improved to 81-81 in 2005, the first time the team has avoided a losing record since 1992.

Toronto signed Koskie to a $17 million, three-year contract before last season, giving him a chance to play in his native Canada. But the Blue Jays had a logjam at the corner infield positions after acquiring Glaus in a trade with Arizona last month.

Along with Overbay and Glaus, Toronto still has Shea Hillenbrand and Eric Hinske.

The Blue Jays also signed a pair of expensive free agents during their busy offseason: starting pitcher A.J. Burnett and reliever B.J. Ryan.

In eight major league seasons, Koskie has a .277 batting average with 112 home runs and 473 RBIs. He helped the Twins win three consecutive AL Central titles from 2002-04.

"Even when I was a free agent last year, my agent approached Milwaukee," Koskie said. "Milwaukee was one of the first places on my list."

Wolfe, a 25-year-old right-hander, went 5-2 with eight saves last season, pitching exclusively in relief at three minor league levels.

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Miguel Tejada rescinded his demand to be traded by the Orioles, telling team officials during a phone call Saturday that he's willing to help Baltimore become a contender in the AL East.

Angered over the Orioles' inability to garner additional talent this offseason, Tejada twice expressed his desire to be traded, the last time on Dec. 29. But he backed off that stance during a conversation with teammate Melvin Mora and vice president Jim Duquette.

"Miguel said all he wanted was for the team to improve. He wants to win," Duquette said. "He doesn't know how that got blown out of proportion, and he feels terrible the way it played out."

After Tejada expressed the desire for "a change of scenery" in early December, the Orioles began fielding trade requests for the three-time All-Star. But the Orioles, who signed Tejada to a six-year, $72 million contract in December 2003, had no intention of merely giving him away.

"What we're doing is looking for a fair and reasonable return," executive vice president Mike Flanagan said earlier Saturday. "He's a guy that's under a long-term contract with us, a targeted player, a terrific player. We're just not going to do something for the sake of doing something."

Now, the Orioles intend to do nothing.

"This is the first time we heard this directly from him," Duquette said. "We're elated that he's chosen to stay. We're all committed to improving the team, and it's easier to do it with Miguel than without him."

Tejada in recent weeks refused to return calls from Flanagan, Duquette and first-year manager Sam Perlozzo. But on Saturday he told Mora, one of his closest friends on the team, that he wanted to clear the air.

The announcement came on a day the Orioles drew more than 10,000 fans to the Convention Center for FanFest, an annual offseason event attended by Flanagan, Duquette, Perlozzo and more than a dozen players.

Tejada was not in the building, but he was the main topic of conversation.

"I totally believe we're not getting the whole picture from Miggy. He's a great kid, he's always been a great kid," Perlozzo said before the conversation between Duquette and Tejada. "I can't believe the faucet went from on to off just like that."

Perlozzo expressed hope that Tejada would be in attendance at the first full-squad workout on Feb. 21, and now it appears that he will get his wish.

"Sometimes Miggy gets into situations where he says something he doesn't mean and doesn't know how to get out of it. I'm hoping this is that kind of situation," Perlozzo said. "I've got to believe this is going to come out as a positive for the Orioles, one way or another."

The best-case scenario for Baltimore was Tejada backing off his stance and displaying the same enthusiasm that has enabled him to become the team leader in the clubhouse, in the dugout and on the field.

His leadership abilities, as much as his .304 batting average, 26 homers and 98 RBIs, are what make Tejada the Orioles' most valuable player.

"I know he's a little frustrated, but I can't imagine starting the season without Miguel Tejada," pitcher Bruce Chen said. "He's going to be very hard to replace. He's a team leader, a good player. I'm pretty sure he's going to be back. Once spring training starts, I'm sure he'll be OK."

With Tejada playing a key role, the Orioles bolted into first place early in 2005 and stayed atop the AL East deep into June. But Baltimore couldn't keep up the pace and tumbled into fourth place, in part because of injuries and the steroid-related suspension of first baseman Rafael Palmeiro.

It's hard to determine if Tejada's production tailed off because of the collapse, but he batted .277 in August and .264 in September and October. He hit only four homers after July 27.

Losing -- and Palmeiro's suggestion that his positive steroid test might have come from a tainted injection of vitamin B-12 provided by Tejada -- clearly disturbed the shortstop.

His ire became more pronounced this winter after the Toronto Blue Jays fortified their roster while the Orioles were outbid for free agent Paul Konerko, lost free-agent closer B.J. Ryan and failed to add a pitcher to a young starting rotation.

Adding pitching coach Leo Mazzone, catcher Ramon Hernandez, reliever LaTroy Hawkins and first baseman Jeff Conine was not enough to ease Tejada's frustration. But now that Flanagan has a content Tejada on board, he can focus on a different kind of deal.

"It hasn't made us work harder," Flanagan said, "it's made it harder to work."

SEATTLE (AP) -- Kevin Appier and Fernando Vina, who haven't played since 2004, agreed Monday to minor league contracts with the Seattle Mariners.

Appier, a 38-year-old right-hander, has not pitched in a regular-season game since throwing one inning on April 23, 2004, for the Kansas City Royals against Minnesota. He has pitched in only two regular-season games and four innings in the last 29 months.

The 16-year veteran, who has a 169-137 career record, had surgery in September 2003, to repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow. He attempted a comeback in 2004, but was 0-1 in two starts before going back on the disabled list April 24 for the rest of that season.

He tried a second comeback in 2005 when he signed a minor league contract with the Royals, the team for which he pitched from 1989-99. But after going 0-1 with an 8.71 ERA in 10 1-3 innings over five spring-training games, Kansas City asked him to accept to a Triple-A assignment to begin the season.

He refused.

"I could pitch in the big leagues with this stuff, but it's not worth it to go down and hope somebody would want me," Appier said then, thinking he may retire.

He waited for a call from another team. None came -- until now.

Even after signing free-agent starter Jarrod Washburn to a $37.5 million, four-year contract and re-signing 43-year-old Jamie Moyer for $5.5 million over one year, Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi said last month he still wanted another veteran starter. Then the Mariners let go of Ryan Franklin, who signed with Philadelphia.

Vina, a 36-year-old middle infielder who made his major league debut with Seattle in 1993, also missed all of last season. The Detroit Tigers placed him on the disabled list March 15 with a strained right hamstring and patellar tendinitis in his left knee. Injuries limited Vina to 29 games with Detroit in 2004, when he hit .226.

"Kevin and Fernando are both veteran major league players that we can bring to camp for some extra depth on our team," Bavasi said. "They have both had health challenges but, if healthy, they will be valuable players for our younger guys to compete against and learn from."

Quote:

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Epstein To Rejoin Red Sox
Associated Press

BOSTON -- Theo Epstein is rejoining the Boston Red Sox, 2½ months after he turned down a three-year, $4.5 million offer to remain as general manager.

Epstein and Red Sox management issued a joint statement Thursday saying he will return to the organization full-time, but they did not say in what capacity Epstein would rejoin the team. His return had been rumored almost since the day he slipped out of Fenway Park wearing a borrowed gorilla costume to avoid the media.

"As you know, we have spoken frequently during the last 10 weeks. We have engaged in healthy, spirited debates about what it will take over the long-term for the Red Sox to remain a great organization and, in fact, become a more effective organization in philosophy, approaches and ideals," the statement said.

"Ironically, Theo's departure has brought us closer together in many respects, and, thanks to these conversations, we now enjoy the bonds of a shared vision for the organizations future that did not exist on Oct. 31. With this vision in place, Theo will return to the Red Sox in a full-time baseball operations capacity, details of which will be announced next week," the statement said.

The statement came from Epstein, principal owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner and president Larry Lucchino.

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SAN DIEGO (AP) -- All-Star catcher Mike Piazza agreed Sunday to a $2 million, one-year contract with the San Diego Padres, giving the defending NL West champions a marquee player they think can still contribute.

Piazza, 37, had been interested in signing a free-agent deal with an AL team to become a designated hitter. Instead, he'll stay in the NL and return to the West Coast for the first time since the Los Angeles Dodgers traded him to Florida in 1998.

The 12-time All-Star holds the major league record for most career home runs by a catcher (374). He has 397 homers overall, and is a career .311 hitter.

The deal is expected to be announced on Monday. It includes a mutual option for 2007 at $8 million.

"The Padres told Mike that he could pretty much catch as much as he wanted to," said Piazza's agent, Dan Lozano.

Piazza is hoping to catch about 90-100 games this season, along with playing some first base and being the DH in interleague games.

Piazza became a free agent after last season, when he hit .251 with 19 homers and 62 RBIs in 113 games for the New York Mets. It was his lowest batting average since he hit .232 in 69 at-bats with the Dodgers in 1992, his first season in the big leagues.

Still, his 19 homers would have led the power-poor Padres. Ryan Klesko hit 18 for San Diego, which struggled to the division title before being swept out of the playoffs by the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Padres got into the Piazza mix in December, around the time of the winter meetings. They held off making a firm offer because there was talk Piazza might have been headed for the New York Yankees, who have Bernie Williams and other players as possible DHs.

The Padres made the offer Saturday night and Piazza accepted on Sunday.

Piazza reportedly had also considered playing for the Phillies. He grew up near Philadelphia.

Padres general manager Kevin Towers wasn't available for comment Sunday.

Speaking last Friday, Towers said Piazza wanted to play "with a competitive team in a desirable city. I think that his experience when he was with L.A. was a good one. He's very popular out here and is familiar with the area. We'd like to think San Diego is a desirable city and that we're a competitive ballclub."

Piazza was slowed by injuries the past three years and has long had trouble throwing.

He was acquired by the Mets in a trade with Florida in May 1998, eight days after he was shipped from the Dodgers to the Marlins in a blockbuster deal that also included Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla, Charles Johnson and Todd Zeile.

Piazza led the Mets to the 2000 World Series, which they lost to the crosstown rival Yankees.

The Padres will have to move a player off their 40-man roster before signing Piazza.

San Diego obtained catcher Doug Mirabelli from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for second baseman Mark Loretta in December.

AP Baseball Writer Ben Walker contributed to this story.