World Series MVP Lowell stays with Red Sox

World Series MVP Mike Lowell is staying with the Boston Red Sox, meaning the reigning champions will try to repeat with all their key players from 2007.

The Red Sox and their popular third baseman reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a three-year, $37.5 million contract, according to two people familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been finalized.

While the sides have reached the outline of the deal, there are still minor issues to be worked out and as of Monday evening there still was not a signed letter of agreement between the team and Lowell's agents. Team spokesman John Blake declined comment.

Lowell, a 33-year-old third baseman who made $9 million this season, was seeking four guaranteed years and might have gotten it elsewhere.

Lowell batted .400 (6-for-15) during Boston's four-game Series sweep of the Colorado Rockies, with 4 RBI, 3 walks and a team-high 6 runs to earn MVP honors.

Rivera, Yankees have deal: Mariano Rivera told the New York Yankees he is accepting their $45 million, three-year offer and will remain with the only major-league team he's ever pitched for.

The closer, who turns 38 on Nov. 29, gets an average salary more than $4 million above what any other reliever currently makes. Rivera's agreement is pending a physical.

Glavine goes home: Tom Glavine returned to the Braves on Monday to finish a career that likely will send him to the Hall of Fame, though this isn't just a sentimental farewell. Atlanta believes the crafty left-hander, who will turn 42 before next season, can help them get back to the playoffs after a two-year hiatus.

Glavine, who is married and has four children, was eager to return to Atlanta, where he spent the first 16 years of his career and kept his home even after moving to the New York Mets. If the 303-game winner had not gotten an offer from the Braves, he planned to retire rather than subject his family to another year of splitting time between two cities.

After turning down a $13 million option with the Mets for 2008, taking a $3 million buyout, he turned his attention toward the Braves. He gave Atlanta a hometown discount, agreeing to an $8 million, one-year deal that was the lowest he was willing to play for and wasn't available to anyone else.

Wheeling and dealing: The San Diego Padres have finalized a $10 million, one-year contract with Greg Maddux, who turns 42 on April 14. Maddux agreed to terms of the deal two weeks earlier. … The Mets completed their deal with Luis Castillo, securing an everyday second baseman. Castillo passed his physical and finalized a $25 million, four-year contract with the Mets, who acquired him from Minnesota on July 30. … Backup catcher Jason LaRue and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed Monday to an $850,000, one-year contract. … With the help of new manager Trey Hillman's experience and contacts in Japan, the Kansas City Royals are negotiating a multiyear deal with 34-year-old reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta.