Reliever Wagner Agrees to Deal With the Mets

Closer Billy Wagner and the New York Mets reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a $43-million, four-year contract.

Wagner, considered by many the top reliever on the free-agent market, saved 38 games for Philadelphia last season and is a four-time All-Star. The Phillies offered a little more than $30 million over three years to retain the 34-year-old left-hander and were prepared to enhance the proposal Monday, but not increase the length.

New York reached the agreement on the same day it introduced slugger Carlos Delgado, acquired last week in a trade with the Florida Marlins, a National League East rival just like the Phillies.

As for Delgado, he said that team rules come before personal politics and that he’s willing to stand on the field with the rest of the Mets when “God Bless America� is played next season.

Major League Baseball says it has not agreed to pay the District of Columbia’s $20-million request to cover cost overruns on a new stadium for the Washington Nationals. Mark Tuohey, chairman of the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission, testified before the D.C. Council that the $20 million had been agreed upon. Tuohey later clarified his comment in an article posted on the Washington Post’s website. “I didn’t say an agreement had been reached on the $20 million,� Tuohey told the newspaper. “I said we were close to an agreement.�

The Oakland Athletics and free-agent right-hander Esteban Loaiza agreed to a three-year contract worth $21,375,000. The deal includes a 2009 club option on Loaiza, a 12-game winner with the Nationals last season.... Reliever B.J. Ryan and the Toronto Blue Jays finalized a $47-million, five-year contract. Ryan, a left-hander who turns 30 on Dec. 28, has 42 career saves, including 36 last season for the Baltimore Orioles.... Pete Rose’s eligibility for the baseball writers’ Hall of Fame ballot expired when the 2006 candidates were announced, a group that includes Cy Young Award winners Orel Hershiser and Dwight Gooden. Albert Belle, Will Clark and Ozzie Guillen were among 14 first-time candidates on the ballot.

*

JURISPRUDENCE

Irvin Says Officer Misunderstood Him

Former Dallas Cowboy wide receiver Michael Irvin reiterated that a marijuana pipe found in his car belonged to a longtime friend, not his brother -- and denied any discrepancy between what he told reporters and police.

Irvin told the Associated Press late Monday that a police officer apparently took his use of the word “brother� literally when he was arrested Friday after being pulled over for speeding.

“It’s my brother’s, he left it in there,� the officer quoted Irvin as saying in a court document obtained by the Dallas Morning News.

Irvin is an ESPN analyst and semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

A stockbroker who swindled former NBA player Latrell Sprewell of $300,000 was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison and ordered to repay nearly $6 million that he stole from securities firms and investors.

Calvin Darden, who spent the money on a $2.85-million home on New York’s Long Island, apologized as his father, Calvin Darden Sr., a UPS vice president, watched.

*

MOTOR RACING

Wheldon to Defend IRL Title With Ganassi

Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon will defend his Indy Racing League championship with a new team.

Target Chip Ganassi Racing said it had signed the 27-year-old native of Emberton, England. He won the IRL title with Andretti Green Racing but couldn’t come to terms with team owner Michael Andretti.

Wheldon will join Ganassi driver Scott Dixon, the IRL’s 2003 champion. Team owner Chip Ganassi is not expected to field three cars again.

*

SOCCER

Brazil’s Ronaldinho Is Europe’s Top Player

Ronaldinho won the Golden Ball as European player of the year, another honor for the Brazilian after his award last year as FIFA player of the year.

Ronaldinho, a midfielder who won the Spanish league title with Barcelona and the Confederations Cup with Brazil, is the third player from his country to win the Golden Ball, joining Rivaldo (1999) and Ronaldo (1997, 2002).

Ronaldinho finished ahead of Frank Lampard of Chelsea, Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and Thierry Henry of Arsenal.

*

BASKETBALL

U.S. Team Announces Three Assistant Coaches

Coaches Mike D’Antoni of the Phoenix Suns, Jim Boeheim of Syracuse University and Nate McMillan of the Portland Trail Blazers were selected as assistants to head Coach Mike Krzyzewski for the U.S. men’s team.

The mix of NBA and college coaches form the staff of the first true U.S. national team, which will compete in next year’s world championships and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“This staff encompasses all the areas that need to be addressed,� Krzyzewski said in a statement. “We have NBA experience. We have international experience. We have backgrounds to teach different styles of basketball, including zone offense and defense.�

*

HIGH SCHOOLS

Mater Dei Quarterback Out for the Playoffs

Freshman quarterback Matt Barkley, who helped Santa Ana Mater Dei win the Serra League title, is out for the remainder of the Southern Section Division I football playoffs after breaking a collarbone Friday in the team’s 42-27 victory over Colton.

Barkley, who completed 126 of 220 passes for 1,689 yards and 10 touchdowns with nine interceptions, will be replaced by junior Kyle Valente, who completed four of six passes with an interception in the regular season, when Mater Dei (8-4) plays league rival Los Angeles Loyola (8-4) in a semifinal Friday at East L.A. College.

-- Martin Henderson

*

MISCELLANY

Instant Replay Probably Coming to U.S. Open

Instant replay probably will be used at next year’s U.S. Open tennis tournament to resolve disputed line calls.

Tournament committee member Jim Courier put the chances of the Open using the technology at 90%, and said implementation of the replay is overdue in the sport.

“I think that’s what we need to do to catch tennis up to the rest of the world of sport,� he said.

Mountain High in Wrightwood became the first resort in Southern California to open its slopes to skiers and snowboarders.

Only four trails with 10 terrain-park features are open, but machines are making snow and more trails could open soon.

Snow Summit in Big Bear Lake will open today, also offering limited terrain. Big Bear Mountain Resort and Snow Valley Mountain Resort may open this week.