Kotchman appears headed to Seattle

SEATTLE — A person familiar with the talks says the Red Sox and Mariners are working on a trade that would send first baseman Casey Kotchman from Boston to Seattle.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity yesterday because the trade was perhaps a couple of days from being finalized.

The teams are still deciding which player or players the Mariners would send to Boston. It is believed none would be major league starters.

Boston has an excess of veteran corner infielders. The Red Sox agreed Tuesday on a one-year contract with former Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre.

The 26-year-old Kotchman, a .269 career hitter known for defense, joined Boston on July 31 in a trade with Atlanta.

Randy Johnson ends 22-year career

SAN FRANCISCO — Randy Johnson looked so awkward on the mound early in his career, that shaggy hair dangling down his neck as he fired a blazing fastball in every direction but the strike zone.

Now, after 22 major league seasons, The Big Unit is walking away from baseball as one of the game's greatest pitchers.

The 6-foot-10 Johnson announced his retirement on a conference call yesterday, a decision that had been expected from the overpowering left-hander who reached 300 wins last June.

A five-time Cy Young Award winner, the 46-year-old Johnson accomplished just about everything in his remarkable career that a player hopes for in baseball.

He owns a World Series ring and co-MVP honors, and was a 10-time All-Star. He threw two no-hitters, including a perfect game, and ranks second on the career strikeout list.

Johnson finishes with a record of 303-166 and 4,875 strikeouts in 4,135 1-3 innings for Montreal, Seattle, Houston, Arizona, the New York Yankees and San Francisco. His strikeouts are the most by a left-hander and second to Nolan Ryan's 5,714.

Cards sign Holliday for 7 years, $120M

NEW YORK — Matt Holliday is staying with the St. Louis Cardinals, agreeing yesterday to a $120 million, seven-year contract that is baseball's richest deal of the offseason.

The Cardinals announced they had agreed with Holliday on a multiyear contract subject to a physical. The team said a formal announcement was likely by Thursday.

The outfielder's agreement includes $119 million guaranteed over seven seasons plus a $17 million vesting option for 2017 with a $1 million buyout, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team didn't reveal the length of the contract or financial details.

Holliday's agreement is much bigger than the other two big free-agent deals of the offseason: pitcher John Lackey's $82.5 million, five-year contract with Boston and outfielder Jason Bay's $66 million, four-year contract with the New York Mets, which was finalized earlier yesterday.

Braves, Glaus reach one-year deal

ATLANTA — Now that his shoulder is finally healthy, Troy Glaus is ready to learn a new position and regain his power stroke.

Glaus and the Atlanta Braves finalized a $1.75 million, one-year contract yesterday, a deal that allows him to earn an additional $2.25 million in performance and roster bonuses.

After missing most of last season with St. Louis following right shoulder surgery, Glaus is set to shift from third base to first in Atlanta.

Phillies, reliever Baez come to terms

PHILADELPHIA — Looking to shore up the back of their bullpen, the Philadelphia Phillies finalized a $5.25 million, two-year contract with reliever Danys Baez yesterday.

A 32-year-old right-hander, Baez was 4-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 59 games with Baltimore last year, holding batters to a .222 average. He has 114 saves in seven major league seasons.

Baez could be used as a setup man along with Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero, and he's a potential option as a closer if Brad Lidge struggles again.

Shoppach, Rays agree to two-year deal

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Kelly Shoppach and the Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a $5.5 million, two-year contract.

The deal, announced yesterday, will pay the team's new catcher $2.25 million this year and $3 million in 2011. It includes a club option for a third season at $3.2 million or a $300,000 buyout.

The Rays obtained the 29-year-old Shoppach from Cleveland on Dec. 1 for a player to be named. They later sent right-hander Mitch Talbott to the Indians to complete the trade.

Basketball: Arenas expects Stern meeting

PHILADELPHIA — Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas has no concerns about possible legal action brought against him for taking unloaded guns from his locker because law enforcement officials "already know the truth."

He's not as confident he can escape punishment from NBA commissioner David Stern.

Arenas said on Tuesday that he'll likely have to meet with Stern to explain why he had guns at the Verizon Center last month. Arenas has yet to be contacted by league officials for his role in what he claims is nothing more than a joke gone awry.

Stern likely will wait until the legal process is complete before handing down penalties, but he could rule on Arenas now since league rules were broken in that instance.

At the NBA's request, the firearms language was bolstered during collective bargaining in 2005. Players are subject to discipline if they bring guns to the arena or practice facility, or even an offsite promotional appearance.

Skiing: Miller will skip slalom in Zagreb

ZAGREB, Croatia — Bode Miller will miss a World Cup slalom race Wednesday in Zagreb to give his sore right ankle more time to rest.

The U.S. Ski Team announced in a release Monday that Miller, a two-time overall World Cup winner, is scheduled to rejoin the squad for races this weekend in Adelboden, Switzerland. He is on the mend from an ankle injury he suffered during a team volleyball game in Val d'Isere, France, on Dec. 12.

American skiers Ted Ligety, Tim Jitloff, Jimmy Cochran, David Chodounsky and Paul McDonald will take part in the race in Zagreb.

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