D-Backs spend greenbacks on Upton

Shortstop Justin Upton, the top pick in the 2005 major league amateur draft, agreed to a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks that includes a $6.1 million signing bonus payable over five years.

Arizona announced the agreement Friday and said Upton, 18, will be introduced at a news conference Monday. The signing bonus is the largest in a minor league contract for a drafted player who was not a free agent, topping the $5.3 million outfielder Joe Borchard got when he signed with the Chicago White Sox in July 2000.

“This is a significant step for our organization and we look forward to seeing this talented young man in uniform,” Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes said.

Upton, the Gatorade High School Player of the Year, hit .519 during his senior season at Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake, Va. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder had 11 home runs and 32 runs batted in.

Yankees’ payroll leads by large margin

The New York Yankees finished last year with a record $207.2 million payroll, more than $90 million ahead of any other team, according to final figures compiled by the commissioner’s office.

Boston was second at $116.7 million, with the New York Mets third at $104 million.

The World Series champion Chicago White Sox were 13th at $73.2 million. Houston, the National League champion, was 12th at $76.2 million.

Clearing the bases

Toronto traded third baseman Corey Koskie to Milwaukee for minor league pitcher Brian Wolfe. … First baseman J.T. Snow and Boston reached a preliminary agreement on a $2 million, one-year contract. Snow, who spent the last nine seasons with San Francisco, is likely to share playing time with Kevin Youkilis. …Al Leiter, 40, agreed to a minor league contract with the Yankees, a deal he hopes will be a springboard to a spot on the U.S. team in the inaugural World Baseball Classic. Middle relievers may be needed at the event because starting pitchers are likely to be forced out of games by pitch limits. … Pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim stayed with Colorado, agreeing to a one-year contract. Kim went 5-12 with a 4.86 ERA in 22 starts and 18 relief appearances last season. … All-Star second baseman Jeff Kent of the Los Angeles Dodgers will undergo surgery on his right wrist Tuesday and should be recovered by early in spring training. … Relief pitcher Chris Reitsma and Atlanta avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $2.75 million, one-year contract. Reitsma led the team with 15 saves last season. The Braves also agreed to minor league deals with outfielder Brian Jordan and catcher Eddie Perez.