Baseball Notebook: Cleveland signs Nixon

After agreeing to sign with Cleveland, Trot Nixon turned an important task over to his 5-year-old son.

“I let Chase pick the number,” Nixon recalled. “He first picked 32, and I was like, why?”

“Because you’re 32 years old,” Chase said.

“Well, in two months, I’m going to be 33,” his father replied.

With that, Nixon decided to wear No. 33 with the Indians, who agreed Friday to a $3 million, one-year contract with the oft-injured outfielder.

Nixon – who will be joined in Cleveland by one of his former Boston Red Sox teammates, closer Keith Foulke – batted .268 with eight homers and 52 RBIs in 114 games last season.

He was sidelined from July 31 to Sept. 4 because of a strained right biceps, which he first hurt in June, and a staph infection. Nixon has gone on the DL in each of the last three seasons, including two stints in 2004.

Nixon can earn $2 million in performance bonuses: $250,000 each for 200 plate appearances and every additional 50 plate appearances through 550.

Wells, Padres near deal

David Wells is all but penciled in as the No. 5 starter for his hometown San Diego Padres.

The Padres and Wells’ agent, Gregg Clifton, agreed in principle to a $3 million, one-year deal that gives the 43-year-old left-hander the chance to make another $4 million in incentives.

Padres general manager Kevin Towers said the two sides need to finalize some contract language and Wells must pass a physical. He expects the deal to be done by Monday or Tuesday.

Wells will anchor a rotation that includes Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Clay Hensley and four-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux.

Braves finalize trade

The Atlanta Braves had difficulty holding leads last season. The Pittsburgh Pirates, held back by a shortage of left-handed power hitter, struggled to score runs.

The Braves finalized their trade to acquire reliever Mike Gonzalez from the Pirates in a deal that sent first baseman Adam LaRoche to Pittsburgh. Two Class A players also switched teams, with Atlanta getting shortstop prospect Brent Lillibridge and the Pirates receiving outfielder Jamie Romak.

LaRoche hit .285 with 32 homers and 90 RBIs and was seventh in the National League with a .561 slugging percentage. He is expected to join 2004 N.L. Rookie of the Year Jason Bay in the middle of the Pirates’ lineup.

Around the league

Three days after reliever Fernando Rodney and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a one-year contract, they decided to make it a two-year deal. The 29-year-old right-hander will get $2.7 million under the contract announced. … The Red Sox are nearing the completion of their five-year, $70 million contract with J.D. Drew, a deal that was announced in December but delayed because of concerns over the outfielder’s right shoulder. … Infielder Tony Graffanino and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed to a $3.25 million, one-year contract. … Right-hander Shawn Chacon, the leading contender for the final spot in Pittsburgh’s rotation, bypassed salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $3,825,000. … Oakland signed pitcher Kirk Saarloos to a one-year contract for $1.2 million, avoiding arbitration with the versatile right-hander. … Right-hander Brian Moehler agreed to a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.