BASEBALL Garciaparra headed to first base

The longtime shortstop agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal with L.A.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES -- Nomar Garciaparra is moving to first base with the Los Angeles Dodgers, confident it will be a smooth transition.
And even at age 32, he's doesn't think he's on the downside of his career.
In Boston, Garciaparra was one of baseball's best shortstops and a five-time All-Star who won two batting titles. The Dodgers only hope he approaches that level.
"One-year deals, changing positions, I'm not worried about that," Garciaparra said at a Dodger Stadium news conference Monday -- one day after agreeing to a $6 million, one-year contract that allows him to earn an additional $4 million in performance bonuses.
He also considered the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros.
"If I had something to prove, I wouldn't have had so many teams talking to me," Garciaparra said. "I had opportunities to take more than one year. I could have played short for a couple teams."
Played third for Cubs
Garciaparra was strictly a shortstop after his sophomore year in high school until last season, when he played third base for the Chicago Cubs in August and September.
"As of today, he's a first baseman," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said.
Garciaparra said he looks forward to the challenge of playing first.
"I'll probably be working on it prior to spring training," he said. "Breaking in a new glove, that will be a challenge. You embrace them, you welcome them."
Meanwhile, Colletti continues to pursue free agents, specifically outfielders and starting pitchers. The Dodgers appear close to an agreement with free-agent outfielder Kenny Lofton.
"A possibility," Colletti said. "Not today. Until he's done, he's a possibility."
White Sox
CHICAGO -- All along, A.J. Pierzynski claimed he found a home in Chicago. He probably won't be moving anytime soon.
The catcher and the Chicago White Sox agreed Monday to a $15 million, three-year contract and avoided salary arbitration.
Pierzynski, who was eligible for free agency in 2006, will earn $4 million next season and $5.5 million each in 2007 and 2008.
"At least I know for three years what I'm going to be doing and hopefully where I'll be playing," Pierzynski said. "They could always trade me, but hopefully, we can stay together and we can win. If we win, hopefully, I won't go anywhere. It means a lot that a team has enough respect for what you do to give you three years and make you feel comfortable."
Assistant general manager Rick Hahn said negotiations with Pierzynski "went smoothly. A.J., we feel, has found a home here."
Signed after spending a year in San Francisco, Pierzynski helped the White Sox win their first World Series since 1917 last season. He committed one error -- none over his final 119 games -- and batted .257 with a career-high 18 home runs and 56 RBIs.
Mariners
SEATTLE -- Jarrod Washburn and the Mariners agreed to a four-year contract Monday, giving Seattle the proven starting pitcher it has been looking for this offseason.
The left-hander went 8-8 with a 3.20 ERA in 29 starts for the Los Angeles Angels last season. He is 193-183 during his eight-year major league career, all with the Angels. He has won more than 11 games just once, going 18-12 during the Angels' 2002 World Series championship season.
Washburn fills Seattle's primary offseason need -- another starter to help anchor a staff led by 43-year-old Jamie Moyer, who re-signed with the Mariners earlier this month.
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