BASEBALL ROUNDUP News and notes

Dodgers: Outfielder J.D. Drew reached a preliminary agreement on a $55 million, five-year contract. Drew's contract is contingent on him passing a physical exam, which is scheduled for today. Drew, 29, played in a career-high 145 games for the Atlanta Braves last season, hitting .305 and setting career highs with 31 homers, 128 runs and 118 walks. He also had 93 RBIs and 12 outfield assists.
White Sox: Right-hander Orlando Hernandez agreed to an $8 million, two-year deal, bolstering what had already been one of the American League's stronger rotations. El Duque has a 61-40 career record with a 3.96 ERA, 704 strikeouts and one save in six seasons, all with the Yankees. His postseason record is even more impressive: 9-3 with a 2.65 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 17 games.
Astros: Carlos Beltran met with team officials on Wednesday, Houston's latest effort to retain the All-Star center fielder who led the team within one win of its first World Series. Beltran and his agent, Scott Boras, spoke with owner Drayton McLane and team president Tal Smith at the team's spring training camp in Kissimmee, Fla. A day earlier, Beltran met with New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner in Tampa.
Red Sox: Matt Clement heard all about curses while playing for the Cubs, who have the longest title drought in baseball. So when Clement saw the Red Sox win the World Series this fall, it made him think about playing in Boston. "Being able to overcome something like that, that's something I want to be a part of: people who are all about that," he said Wednesday after finalizing a $25.5 million, three-year deal with the World Series champions. Boston also moved ahead on another front, reaching a preliminary agreement with right-hander Wade Miller, who became a free agent when Houston failed to offer a 2005 contract Monday. Miller, passed a physical Wednesday, will get about $1.5 million from the Red Sox and have the chance to earn approximately $3 million more in performance bonuses.
Nationals: Brian Schneider agreed to a $2 million, one-year contract Wednesday as the team avoided going to salary arbitration with one of the top defensive catchers in the league. Schneider hit .257 and had career-highs with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs last season, his first as the club's regular catcher. He has had the major leagues' top percentage in throwing out would-be base-stealers for two straight years: 46.7 percent in 2003 and 47.8 percent in 2004. Schneider also went 167 games without an error, a streak that ended Sept. 7 against the Chicago Cubs.
Padres: Center fielder Dave Roberts agreed to a $1.35 million, one-year contract Wednesday, a deal that allows him to earn an additional $100,000 in performance bonuses. Roberts was acquired in a trade with the Boston Red Sox on Monday night. He had been eligible for salary arbitration. The Padres also agreed to a $575,000, one-year deal with free-agent outfielder Mark Sweeney.
Mets: Right-hander Orber Moreno agreed to a minor league contract with the Mets, who cut him from the major league roster two days earlier. Moreno was 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA last season before he went on the disabled list July 25 with a strained right shoulder, an injury that ended his season. He had arthroscopic shoulder surgery in October. He would get a $500,000, one-year contract if he is added to the major league roster.
Cardinals: Left-hander Mike Myers agreed to a $600,000, one-year contract with the Cardinals, who also kept outfielder So Taguchi with a $550,000, one-year deal. Myers started last season with Seattle, then was acquired by Boston in August. He ranked sixth in the AL with 75 relief appearances and combined to go 5-1 with a 4.64 ERA. Myers, 35, has made more appearances than any other pitcher in the major leagues since 1996, his first full season.
Marlins: Right-hander reliever John Riedling reached a preliminary agreement on a $750,000, one-year contract. The deal, which also includes up to $100,000 in performance bonuses, is contingent on Riedling -- a South Florida native -- passing a physical.
Associated Press