Las Vegas ? CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees agreed Wednesday on the framework for a $161 million, seven-year contract, the richest for a pitcher in baseball history.

The Yankees and Sabathia’s agents still need to work out all the details, a baseball official familiar with the talks told the Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been completed, and the pitcher must pass a physical.

Sabathia has the right to opt out after three seasons and become a free agent again.

“I’m sure every team in baseball would love to have him. He’s a guy who’s an intimidating factor on the mound,” Yankees captain Derek Jeter said at the winter meetings. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman left Las Vegas on Tuesday for a quick trip to the pitcher’s home in the San Francisco area, sparking the final stages of negotiations.

“There’s a lot of layers in the process. Until that process is completed, I’m kind of prevented from saying too much,” Cashman said. “Legally, I’ve got to protect myself. And, you know, you’re never done until you’re done, and so, we’re not done.”

BASEBALL

Johnson to manage U.S.

Las Vegas — Davey Johnson will get another chance to manage the United States. Johnson guided the U.S. team to a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics in August and now will manage the Americans in the second World Baseball Classic this spring.

Johnson was a coach under manager Buck Martinez in the 2006 WBC, when a U.S. team loaded with All-Stars failed to reach the semifinals. The Americans lost, 2-1, to Mexico to be eliminated from the tournament.

K-Rod, Mets finalize deal

Las Vegas — Francisco Rodriguez and the New York Mets completed their $37 million, three-year contract Wednesday. Rodriguez saved 62 games for the Los Angeles Angels this year, five more than the previous big-league mark set by Bobby Thigpen of the Chicago White Sox in 1990.

Putz traded to Mets

Las Vegas — The New York Mets obtained J.J. Putz from Seattle on Wednesday night as part of a three-team, 12-player trade that gives them a setup man for new closer Francisco Rodriguez.

New York dealt seven players — six to the Mariners and one to Cleveland. The Mets shipped reliever Aaron Heilman, outfielder Endy Chavez, lefty Jason Vargas and three minor-leaguers to the Mariners for Putz, center fielder Jeremy Reed and reliever Sean Green.

Promising outfielder Franklin Gutierrez was sent from the Indians to Seattle. Cleveland gets reliever Joe Smith from the Mets and 23-year-old second baseman Luis Valbuena from Seattle.

GOLF

Daly smashes camera

Sydney, Australia — John Daly smashed a spectator’s camera into a tree while shooting a 6-over 78 in the first round of the Australian Open today, making it likely he will miss the cut for the third consecutive week Down Under.

After pushing his tee shot wide on the ninth hole — his last — Daly walked into a clump of trees, where spectator Brad Clegg tried to take a picture at close range.

Daly reportedly snatched the camera and smashed it against the nearest tree, telling the man, “You want it back, I’ll buy you a new one.”

Pavin selected captain

Corey Pavin has been selected as the next U.S. captain in the Ryder Cup, leading the team 15 years after last competing in the matches, two officials with knowledge of the discussions told the Associated Press.

NFL

Injured ‘Pacman’ sidelined

Irving, Texas — Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones might miss the rest of the season after injuring his neck against Pittsburgh. Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said Wednesday that Jones would miss Sunday’s game.

Burress bonus withheld

East Rutherford, N.J. — The New York Giants have refused to pay suspended receiver Plaxico Burress a $1 million portion of a signing bonus from a contract signed in September.

PRO FOOTBALL

AFL to keep playing

Philadelphia — The Arena Football League voted Wednesday not to suspend play in 2009 for now, a shift during a tumultuous week in which the league seemed poised to cancel the season. The AFL’s board of directors voted via conference call. The AFL has not released the 2009 schedule.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

UT’s Orakpo wins Lombardi

Houston — Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo won the Rotary Lombardi Award on Wednesday night. Orakpo is the first Houston native to win the Lombardi, awarded by the city’s Rotary Club to the nation’s top college lineman or linebacker.

MSU taps Florida aide

Jackson, Miss. — Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen will be the new football coach at Mississippi State, moving from the Southeastern Conference champions to one of the league’s perennial cellar dwellers. Mullen been an assistant coach for 14 years and spent the last eight with Florida coach Urban Meyer at Bowling Green, Utah and Florida.

Buffalo’s Gill draws interest

Buffalo, N.Y. — Buffalo coach Turner Gill, fresh off an improbable Mid-American Conference title, is a candidate for coaching vacancies at Syracuse and Auburn. University at Buffalo athletic director Warde Manuel told the Associated Press on Wednesday that he provided both schools permission to interview Gill.

BCS bill proposed

Washington — Taking aim at a BCS system he said “consistently misfires,” a member of Congress planned to introduce legislation Wednesday that would force college football to adopt a playoff to determine the national champion. Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, the ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, didn’t specify what sort of playoff he wants — only that the BCS should go.

Alabama State penalized

Montgomery, Ala. — Alabama State University’s football program was placed on five years’ probation by the NCAA on Wednesday and must forfeit all games won in the 2000 and 2001 seasons.