Right-hander Adam Eaton and the Phillies reached a preliminary agreement on a $24 million, three-year contract, pending a physical. A fourth year option could make it worth more than $33 million, according to ESPN. He is 54-45 with a 4.40 ERA in seven major-league seasons. . . . The Red Sox are nearing a deal with free-agent outfielder J.D. Drew that could allow them to trade left fielder Manny Ramirez, who has two years left on his eight-year contract and has asked to be traded several times. . . . Right-hander Danys Baez signed a $19 million, three-year contract with the Orioles. He was 5-6 with nine saves and a 4.53 ERA in 2006 with the Braves and Dodgers. . . . David Dellucci will be the Indians’ new left fielder after signing a three-year, $11.5 million deal. . . . Former Sox lefty Damaso Marte stayed with the Pirates (2 years, $4.7 million).
– An Illinois High School Association committee scrapped a last-ditch bid to halt expanding the current two-class system for basketball and several other sports, set to begin with the 2007-08 school year.
– The New York Red Bulls traded former MVP Amado Guevara to Chivas USA for a third-round draft pick and a “designated player” slot, which could be used to land Ronaldo or David Beckham. . . . Italy’s Fabio Cannavaro won the Golden Ball award, the first defender in 10 years selected as Europe’s best player.
