According to the Associated Press, the Boston Red Sox and J.D. Drew finally resolved their five-year, $70 million contract, more than seven weeks after agreeing to everything except what to do about the outfielder's surgically repaired right shoulder.

A baseball official involved in the negotiations said Thursday that the language had been agreed to.

Drew's contract contains language that will allow Boston to opt out of guaranteed money in the event a specified pre-existing injury recurs. Boras and the players' association agreed that if the Red Sox exercise their rights under that language, neither Drew nor the union would contend that the language is unenforceable.

The New York Mets today announced that Manager Willie Randolph signed a new three-year contract with a club option for 2010. Randolph was to have been paid $700,000 in 2007, but under the terms of the new deal, he will receive $1.4 million this year, $2 million in 2008 and $2.25 million in 2009. The club option for 2010 is $2.5 million.

“I’m happy that we have reached an agreement with Willie to extend his contract,” said Mets General Manager Omar Minaya. “The team has made great strides over the last two years and we are looking for bigger and better things in 2007.”

“We’ve accomplished a lot in my first two years,” said Randolph. “I’m excited about continuing what we have started. We are working very hard to attain our ultimate goal, a World Championship for our City and our fans.”

New York also announced the signing of Aaron Sele, who has posted a 145-110 record during his major league career, to a one-year minor league contract.

Sele, a 36-year-old righthander who was selected to two American League All-Star teams with the Texas Rangers in 1998 and the Seattle Mariners in 2000, went 8-6 with a 4.53 ERA in 28 games, 15 starts, with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006. In 103.1 innings, he gave up 120 hits, 57 runs, 52 earned, with 30 walks and 57 strikeouts.

Rob McQuown's newest addition to BDD is a look at The Golden Age of Baseball Analysis! Head on over and check it out today.

In the news today...

Edgar Martinez, the best designated hitter in Major League Baseball history, has been selected for induction into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame.  Martinez joins first baseman Alvin Davis, Dave Niehaus, the Voice of the Mariners, and outfielder Jay Buhner.

An update from Chicago...outfielder Scott Podsednik of the Chicago White Sox underwent outpatient surgery in Dallas on Tuesday to repair a sports hernia.  Recovery time is expected to last between 6-8 weeks.

The Pittsburgh Pirates unveiled their 2007 promotion days. There are a few pretty cool ones this year...Kids Willie Stargell Replica Jersey day...Smash Mouth post game concert...and my personal favorite, Ronny Paulino Bobblehead day!

RHP Homer Bailey has been named winner of the Sheldon “Chief” Bender Award as the Cincinnati Reds’ Minor League Player of the Year for 2006. 1B Joey Votto was named the organization’s Hitter of the Year and RHP Johnny Cueto Pitcher of the Year.