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New York — The New York Yankees reeled in another prime free agent, reaching a preliminary agreement Tuesday with first baseman Mark Teixeira for $180 million over eight years.

Two people familiar with the negotiations disclosed the agreement, which is subject to a physical. They spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet final.

Teixeira’s deal raises the Yankees’ offseason spending spree to $423.5 million. Just last Thursday, the Yankees completed agreements with two highly prized pitchers, giving CC Sabathia a $161 million, seven-year contract and A.J. Burnett an $82.5 million, five-year deal.

Preparing to move into their pricey new ballpark, the Yankees will hold the four largest contracts in the sport as they try to win the World Series for the first time since 2000. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez has baseball’s highest deal at $275 million over 10 years, and shortstop Derek Jeter is second at $189 million over 10 years.

Teixeira’s agreement came just one day after the Yankees received a $26.9 million luxury-tax bill for 2008, when their streak of 13 consecutive playoff appearances ended. But with the revenue from their new stadium, where tickets are priced at up to $2,500 per game, their appetite for free agents wasn’t diminished.

Just 28, Teixeira is the type of hitter the Yankees hope will revive an offense that dropped from a major-league-leading 968 runs in 2007 to 789 last season. The switch hitter batted a combined .308 with 33 homers and 121 RBIs for the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels, who acquired him July 29. He has reached 30 homers and 105 RBIs in five consecutive seasons.

Teixeira gets a $5 million signing bonus, $20 million in each of the first two seasons, and $22.5 million in each of the final six years. He has a full no-trade clause.

Baseball

Yankees offer cheap seats

New York — The price of a bleacher seat for the exhibition openers at the new Yankee Stadium will cost far less than a soda.

The Yankees said Tuesday that bleacher seats for the games against the Chicago Cubs on April 3 and 4 will sell for 25 cents, and grandstand tickets will be $1.10. That matches the prices for the opener of the original Yankee Stadium against Boston on April 18, 1923.

Ramirez won’t be Angel

Los Angeles — Even after losing Mark Teixeira to the free-spending New York Yankees, the Los Angeles Angels don’t plan to pursue slugger Manny Ramirez.

Angels general manager Tony Reagins said Tuesday that instead of trying to land Ramirez, the club is “going to give our younger players an opportunity to play.”

Wright to replace A-Rod

New York — Mets third baseman David Wright will get to share the left side of the infield with Derek Jeter as part of the U.S. team in the World Baseball Classic this spring.

Wright will take the place of Alex Rodriguez, who was one of the two third basemen on the U.S. team in the inaugural WBC in 2006. Chipper Jones was the other and will be again in 2009.

College football

Texas WR granted 6th year

Austin, Texas — Texas wide receiver Jordan Shipley has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.

Shipley missed the 2004 and 2005 seasons because of knee and hamstring injuries. He is the top receiver for the No. 3 Longhorns with 79 catches for 982 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Alabama’s Saban honored

Tuscaloosa, Ala. — Alabama’s Nick Saban is the Associated Press college football coach of the year.

This is the second time Saban has won the award. He also was coach of the year with LSU in 2003.

Mike Stoops to get extension

Tucson, Ariz. — Fresh off its first bowl victory in 10 years, Arizona plans to extend coach Mike Stoops’ contract by three years, through 2013.

Details of the deal have yet to be worked out. It is subject to the approval of the Arizona Board of Regents.

Miami (Ohio) hires ND aide

Oxford, Ohio — Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Haywood was hired Tuesday as the football coach at Miami University, which went 2-10 this season.

He replaces Shane Montgomery, who resigned last month. The RedHawks went 17-31 during his four seasons.

NFL

Steelers coach not amused

Pittsburgh — Santa Claus’ visit to Mike Tomlin’s weekly news conference Tuesday didn’t elicit a “ho, ho, ho” from the less-than-amused Steelers coach.

Bill DiFabio, a sports announcer from Washington, Pa., traditionally dresses up as Santa for the pre-Christmas press gathering and often pokes fun at the Steelers coach for a few moments. Former coach Bill Cowher often went along with the gag.

Tomlin also played along initially, asking, “What have you got for me, Santa?” and inviting DiFabio to join him at his desk in front of the room.

But when DiFabio commandeered the news conference for more than five minutes, passing out gifts and cracking jokes about fellow sportscasters, the Browns and Cowboys, nose tackle Casey Hampton’s weight and the woebegone Pirates, Tomlin became impatient.

Ellis fined by NFL

Florham Park, N.J. — Shaun Ellis said his snow throw was “all in fun,” but the NFL wasn’t amused.

Ellis, who was fined an undisclosed amount by the Jets after his arrest on marijuana charges several weeks ago, was fined $10,000 Tuesday for “tossing a large snow clump in the direction of fans,” the league said in a statement.

Browns place RB on IR

Cleveland — Versatile running back Jason Wright was placed on injured reserve by the injury-riddled Cleveland Browns on Tuesday.

Wright hurt his ankle in Sunday’s 14-0 loss to Cincinnati.

Jaguars’ official resigns

Jacksonville, Fla. — James “Shack” Harris resigned as Jacksonville’s personnel chief Tuesday, taking the fall for a franchise that flopped this season and avoiding what might have been an embarrassing return to Baltimore this weekend.

Ref won’t be in San Diego

San Diego — Looking for Ed Hochuli to work another Denver-San Diego game, this one with the AFC West title on the line?

Forget it. Hochuli, whose blunder helped decide the first game between the Broncos and Chargers — in favor of Denver — will be a couple thousand miles east in Green Bay on Sunday for the Lions-Packers game.

Rams’ DT considers future

St. Louis — Rams defensive tackle La’Roi Glover will play in his 191st consecutive game this week against Atlanta. It also could be his last.

He isn’t ready to call it a career quite yet but said he would sit down with his family after the season and make a decision.

Golf

Fewer tourneys offered

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. — The PGA Tour has lost at least one tournament from its Fall Series because of the economy, and the final part of its 2009 schedule released Tuesday had another tournament still up in the air.

The tour announced five tournaments — down from seven this year — that will be played after the FedEx Cup ends and give players a chance to finish in the top 125 on the money list to retain their cards.

College basketball

S.C. reports violations

Columbia, S.C. — South Carolina’s athletic department is reporting 11 secondary NCAA violations in the past six months, including two from the program of new women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley.

The school said Tuesday that a women’s basketball coach improperly text-messaged a prospect and a coach incorrectly publicized an informal practice scrimmage.

NBA

Stojakovic, Daniels out

New Orleans — Peja Stojakovic sat out his third straight game due to back soreness Tuesday night when the New Orleans Hornets hosted the Los Angeles Lakers.

Backup point guard Antonio Daniels, who twisted his knee during the Hornets’ previous game on Saturday, also missed the game.

Warriors’ Crawford out

Miami — Golden State guard Jamal Crawford missed the Warriors’ game in Miami on Tuesday night due to a strained left groin.

Cycling

Armstrong expecting baby

New York — Lance Armstrong is going to be a father again.

Armstrong, who won the Tour de France seven consecutive years after overcoming testicular cancer, is expecting a baby with girlfriend Anna Hansen.