Source: Garciaparra Set to Join Dodgers

LOS ANGELES - Five-time All-Star Nomar Garciaparra and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed on a one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations said Sunday.

The deal could be announced before the end of the weekend, the person told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Dodgers spokesman Josh Rawitch said Sunday the team had no announcement to make. Arn Tellem, Garciaparra's agent, did not immediately respond to an e-mail.

The 32-year-old Garciaparra also considered the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros before making his decision.

Garciaparra and Tellem met with Dodgers executives Thursday, and Garciaparra and his wife, former soccer star Mia Hamm, visited Dodger Stadium on Friday. Garciaparra and Hamm live in suburban Manhattan Beach.

Garciaparra most likely will play first base or the outfield with the Dodgers. He played mostly third base after returning to the Cubs last August. New Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said Garciaparra seemed open to changing positions during his meetings with the player.

Garciaparra was considered one of baseball's best shortstops for several years while playing with the Boston Red Sox and won the AL batting title in 1997. But his playing time was limited during the past two years because of injuries.

He hit .283 with nine homers and 30 RBIs in 62 games for the Chicago Cubs last season, when he earned $8.25 million. He tore his left groin running out of the batter's box in St. Louis on April 20 and didn't return until Aug. 5.

Colletti has had a busy December, hiring manager Grady Little and adding three free agents — shortstop Rafael Furcal, third baseman Bill Mueller and Garciaparra. Mueller also won a batting title while playing for the Red Sox, in 2003.

The Dodgers went 71-91 last season, their second-poorest record since moving from Brooklyn in 1958. The team parted ways with manager Jim Tracy on Oct. 3 — the day after the season ended — and fired general manager Paul DePodesta on Oct. 29.

Garciaparra played under Little in 2002-03 with the Red Sox, and was teammates with pitcher Derek Lowe and Mueller in Boston. Lowe signed a four-year contract with the Dodgers last winter.