Beltran lets deadline pass; Mets in aggressive pursuit

Carlos Beltran let Saturday night’s deadline to re-sign with the Houston Astros pass without an agreement, and the New York Mets were trying to close an agreement with the speedy center fielder.

Both the Mets and the Astros were on the telephone Saturday night with Beltran’s agent, Scott Boras. While Houston had to sign him by midnight (EST) or lose rights until May 1, the Mets and other teams did not have that restriction.

Just after the deadline passed, Boras said he was still negotiating with New York. The commissioner’s office confirmed there was no agreement with the Astros.

By allowing the deadline to pass without an agreement, Beltran also could be hoping other teams, such as the New York Yankees, resume their pursuit. The Chicago Cubs also are thought to be interested.

Under the rules of baseball’s labor contract, Houston cannot sign Beltran until May 1 – all but assuring he’ll go to another team.

Indians land Millwood

Kevin Millwood finalized a $7 million, one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians, who hope the right-hander’s elbow is healthy and that he can stabilize a young starting rotation.

Millwood, 30, has three seasons with at least 17 wins and has pitched more than 200 innings four times, but spent last year battling elbow problems.

“I’m not real worried about it,” Millwood said of the injury. “If I was at a point right now that I felt I wouldn’t be able to pitch all year, I probably wouldn’t have signed.”

Giants raise relief money

The San Francisco Giants raised $109,650 for the tsunami relief effort through a two-day silent auction on the team’s Web site that included a personal meeting in the dugout with Barry Bonds.

The meeting with Bonds went for $30,200 and will give the winner and three guests the opportunity to sit with the slugger in the Giants’ dugout before a game this season and have a group picture taken.

The four will also get tickets to the game and the opportunity to watch batting practice from the dugout.

Clearing the bases

Designated hitter Ruben Sierra agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract to stay with the New York Yankees. … David McCarty beat Saturday night’s deadline to stay with the Boston Red Sox, agreeing to a minor league contract that would pay him a $550,000 salary if he is added to the major league roster. … Texas Rangers catcher Rod Barajas agreed to a $1.85 million, one-year deal. … The New York Mets agreed to a one-year contract with South Korean left-hander Dae Sung Koo, who pitched in the 2000 Olympics and spent the last four years with the Orix BlueWave in Japan’s Pacific League. … Boston pitcher Pedro Astacio let the signing deadline past. … Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Brent Mayne also let the deadline pass.