Red Sox, Drew come to terms
The Boston Red Sox and J.D. Drew finally resolved their wrangling over the outfielder's five-year, $70 million contract. A baseball official involved in the negotiations said Thursday the sides agreed on language that would allow the team to opt out of guaranteed money in 2010 and 2011 if a specified pre-existing injury recurs.
• The Mariners are closing in on a deal with 30-year-old right-hander Jeff Weaver, a baseball official close to the negotiations said yesterday.
• The Chicago Cubs released left-handed pitcher Glendon Rusch yesterday, after his 2006 season was cut short by a blood clot in his lung.
• Outfielder Darin Erstad and the Chicago White Sox agreed yesterday on a $1 million, one-year contract that includes a club option for 2008.
• The Oakland Athletics agreed with outfielder Bobby Kielty on a $2.1 million, one-year contract that avoided arbitration.
• Third baseman Morgan Ensberg, shortstop Adam Everett and outfielder Jason Lane agreed yesterday to one-year contracts with the Houston Astros.
• Yankees president Randy Levine and general manager Brian Cashman will head a delegation that travels to Beijing next week for meetings that could lead to Major League Baseball establishing an academy in China.
Digits
60 - Years since Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier, a mark the sport will celebrate when the San Diego Padres play at the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 15.
