Garciaparra meets twice with L.A.

Nomar Garciaparra met with Los Angeles Dodgers executives Thursday and Friday, and is expected to decide soon on his future.

The 32-year-old Garciaparra, a five-time All-Star with the Boston Red Sox, also is considering the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros, but the Dodgers might have an advantage because Garciaparra and his wife, former soccer star Mia Hamm, live in suburban Manhattan Beach.

“Nomar continues to talk with players, friends and family members,” Garciaparra’s agent, Arn Tellem, said in an e-mail.

“He is weighing his options carefully and while he has no plans on making a decision today, he intends to do so in the near future.”

Royals sign four free agents

The Kansas City Royals agreed to one-year contracts with second baseman Mark Grudzielanek ($4 million) and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz ($1.85 million).

Trying to rebound from a team-record 106-loss season, the Royals also agreed to an $8 million, two-year deal with pitcher Scott Elarton and finalized their agreement with backup catcher Paul Bako ($700,000).

The 29-year-old Elarton gets $4 million annually.

He was 11-9 with a 4.61 ERA last season with Cleveland, making a career-high 31 starts.

•Mientkiewicz is in litigation over ownership of the World Series ball with the Boston Red Sox, who filed suit last month asking a judge to let them keep it, then agreed Friday to dismiss it and have the case decided by Shyam Das, baseball’s arbitrator.

Yankees acquire Villone

The New York Yankees acquired left-handed pitcher Ron Villone from the Florida Marlins for minor league pitcher Ben Julianel.

The 35-year-old Villone was a combined 2-3 with a 2.45 ERA in 79 games last season for the Seattle Mariners and the Marlins, who acquired him at the July 31 trade deadline.

A-Rod to skip WBC

Alex Rodriguez told the Yankees he won’t play in the inaugural World Baseball Classic, just two days after saying he was leaning toward being on the Dominican Republic’s team.