Crawford gets $142M from Red Sox;Yankees make first offer for Lee

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Boston Red Sox struck again at the winter meetings, landing star outfielder Carl Crawford with a $142 million, 7-year contract last night.

A person familiar with the talks told the Associated Press the agreement is subject to Crawford passing a physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet final. Crawford's deal was first reported by the Boston Globe on its website.

Earlier in the day, both Chicago teams filled their needs at first base - Carlos Pena joined the Cubs, Paul Konerko returned to the White Sox.

Another first, too, at these meetings: The New York Yankees made their initial offer to free agent Cliff Lee. The Yankees will try to lure Lee with a 6-year proposal worth nearly $140 million.

"Hannibal Lecter in a straitjacket right now, waiting on this Cliff Lee thing," general manager Brian Cashman said.

Outfielders Jeff Francoeur and Matt Diaz found new teams, along with designated hitter Jack Cust and former All-Star reliever George Sherrill.

Hard to tell about Tampa Bay shortstop Jason Bartlett, however. After a trade with Baltimore fell through, the Rays worked on a swap that would send him to San Diego.

The last full day of this week's session was active, with many teams in the mix. Still in play are big-name free agents Adrian Beltre, Magglio Ordonez and Manny Ramirez, along with Lee.

"The winter meetings have usually been a lot about first meetings, and we're into second and third meetings," top agent Scott Boras said. "I've gotten two deals done here. I'm trying to think back to when that's happened. It's been a while."

Boras put Pena and the Cubs together for what he called a "pillow contract" - $10 million for 1 year.

Francoeur, who started last season with the New York Mets and wound up in the World Series with Texas, sounded enthused about becoming an everyday starter in Kansas City.

"When I've been comfortable, I've tended to play well," he said. "I'm not the greatest guy when I sit on the bench. I have ants in my pants."

Cut by Atlanta, Diaz went to Pittsburgh. Cust closed a 1-year deal to leave Oakland and play for Seattle and Sherrill hoped a move from the Dodgers to Atlanta, for a 1-year, $1.25 million deal, would rejuvenate his career.