BASEBALL ROUNDUP Cubs keep Nomar; Red Sox make pitch for Martinez

Garciaparra signed for one year for $8 million; Boston tried to keep its standouts.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Nomar Garciaparra stayed with the Chicago Cubs, and the Boston Red Sox made arbitration offers to Pedro Martinez and several other World Series stars Tuesday, the first big deadline of the offseason for teams and free agents.
Garciaparra agreed to an $8 million, one-year contract to remain with the Cubs, the team that acquired him from the Red Sox at the end of July. If he stays healthy, he could make up to $11 million with Chicago.
"I really loved playing there, I really loved the experience I had in the short time I was there," he said. "I just felt Chicago is the best place for me. I'm looking forward to going out there and, hopefully, turning this into a long-term relationship."
Walker stays with Cubs
Chicago also agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract with second baseman Todd Walker. Philadelphia agreed to a $5.25 million, two-year deal with left-hander Rheal Cormier, and Seattle settled on a $1.75 million, one-year contract with catcher Dan Wilson.
Houston agreed to two deals, an $800,000, one-year contract with outfielder Orlando Palmeiro and a minor league contract with right-hander Russ Springer. Also, right-hander Kevin Appier launched another comeback bid, agreeing to a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.
Boston offered arbitration to Martinez, Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek along with shortstop Orlando Cabrera, pitchers Pedro Astacio and Mike Myers, infielder Pokey Reese and first baseman David McCarty.
Players offered arbitration have until Dec. 19 to accept the offers and can re-sign through Jan. 8. If teams don't offer arbitration, they can't re-sign their former free agents until May 1.
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"Some of them were offered arbitration with the understanding they won't accept arbitration," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said.
"That simply extends our window. Sometimes making good decisions takes time."
In addition, teams get amateur draft picks as compensation when they offer arbitration to top free agents who sign elsewhere. Because of that, several deals that were close to completion will be finalized once the deadline passes.