BASEBALL ROUNDUP \ News and notes

Red Sox: Boston cannot reduce its 51.1 million bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka in order to sign him, even if his Japanese team agrees to take less, baseball officials said Tuesday. "There are no side deals in the situation," said Jimmie Lee Solomon, executive vice president of baseball operations in the commissioner's office. "Everybody's been assured that's not allowed, and everybody's been made aware of the rules." Boston bid 51.1 million for the right to negotiate with Matsuzaka, the MVP of the World Baseball Classic in March. The team has until the end of Dec. 14 to sign him or he would return to the Seibu Lions for another season before he could be posted again.
Yankees: The New York Yankees won the bidding for Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa when the Hanshin Tigers accepted their offer of just more than 26 million Tuesday. Igawa, a 27-year-old left-hander, could compete for a spot in New York's rotation next season behind Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson. Carl Pavano, coming off 1 1/2 seasons of injuries, also would be in the rotation if healthy. New York has until midnight at the end of Dec. 28 to work out a contract with the pitcher's agent, Arn Tellem -- also the agent for Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui.
Orioles: Adding another pair of relievers, Baltimore reached preliminary agreements with Chad Bradford and Scott Williamson Tuesday and also neared a deal to re-sign first baseman Kevin Millar and add backup catcher Paul Bako.
Brewers: Milwaukee is in discussions with utility infielder Craig Counsell about a potential return, general manager Doug Melvin said Tuesday night. Counsell, who attended high school in Whitefish Bay, played for the Brewers in 2004. An 11-year veteran, Counsell has spent the past two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Also Tuesday, reliever Brian Shouse and the Brewers avoided salary arbitration when they agreed Tuesday to a one-year contract worth 975,000.
Royals: Kansas City traded infielder Donnie Murphy to Oakland Tuesday for cash.
Dodgers: Left-hander Randy Wolf, who spent much of last season recovering from elbow surgery, finalized an 8 million, one-year contract with Los Angeles Tuesday.
Cardinals: Signing second baseman Adam Kennedy filled out St. Louis' everyday lineup. Even with the addition of right-hander Kip Wells, their rotation remains two pitchers shy. The Cardinals made their first big moves since winning the World Series, agreeing Tuesday to a 10 million, three-year contract with Kennedy and 4 million, one-year deal with Wells. They also agreed to a 900,000, one-year contract with backup catcher Gary Bennett and a minor league contract with Eli Marrero, once their starting catcher.
Blue Jays: Newly signed Frank Thomas hopes Toronto can add a top pitcher to its roster. For now, the Blue Jays are content to keep their catcher. Gregg Zaun stayed with the Blue Jays by agreeing to a 7.25 million, two-year contract Tuesday, a day after catcher Rod Barajas backed out of an apparent deal.
Associated Press
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