Other sports

Baseball

Fielder's contract unveiled

Prince Fielder will earn $23 million in each of his first two years with the Detroit Tigers, then will make $24 million annually in the final seven seasons of his $214 million, nine-year contract, according to terms obtained by AP.

That contrasts with Albert Pujols' backloaded $240 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels, agreed to last month. Pujols gets $12 million this year and $16 million in 2013, with the salary increasing to $23 million in 2014 and then rising $1 million annually.

Also, Miguel Cabrera told a Venezuelan newspaper he would move to third base to make room for Fielder at first base.

Red Sox, Bailey agree at $3.9M

The Boston Red Sox agreed to terms Wednesday with right-handed pitcher Andrew Bailey on a one-year contract worth $3.9 million. The deal avoids arbitration. Bailey, who made $465,000 last year, asked for $4.7 million; the team offered $3.35 million.

Bailey was acquired from the Oakland Athletics this winter after the closer converting 24 of 26 save opportunities in 2011.

Betancourt gets $8.5M deal

Colorado Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt agreed to an $8.5 million, two-year contract.

Jones, Yankees finalize $2M deal

Andruw Jones and the Yankees finalized a $2 million, one-year contract that keeps him in New York for a second season.

In other moves, infielder Robert Andino and the Baltimore Orioles agreed to a $1.3 million, one-year contract that triples his salary; St. Louis Cardinals closer Jason Motte agreed to a $1.95 million, one-year contract; right-handed reliever Nick Masset agreed on a two-year, $5.5 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds; right-handed pitcher Brad Ziegler and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year contract worth $1,795,000; Cincinnati acquired infielder Wilson Valdez from the Philadelphia Phillies for minor-league pitcher Jeremy Horst; Daryle Ward, an 11-season veteran who hasn't played in the major leagues since 2008, has been suspended for 50 games after testing positive for a banned amphetamine under the minor-league testing program; and MLB told teams that Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is eligible to negotiate.

NHL

Liles signs $15.5M extension

Defenseman John-Michael Liles signed a $15.5 million, four-year extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Stars active Benn

The Dallas Stars activated left wing Jamie Benn from injured reserve in time for him to participate in Sunday's All-Star Game.

Neal replaces Ovechkin

Pittsburgh Penguins left wing James Neal will replace Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin in the All-Star Game.

Auto racing

Sadler in Daytona 500

Elliott Sadler will be in the Daytona 500 for Richard Childress Racing. Sadler has not raced in the Sprint Cup Series since 2010. He ran the Nationwide Series last season, and is scheduled to do so again this year for RCR.

NASCAR stops undisclosed fines

NASCAR said it will stop issuing undisclosed fines going forward, a practice that made fans distrust the sanctioning body.

Barrichello to test for KV Racing

Rubens Barrichello will test an IndyCar next week for KV Racing. It's not clear if the test will bring the Brazilian Formula One driver to IndyCar for 2012.

Golf

PGA may change qualifying

The PGA Tour has taken a big step toward revamping the way players get their tour cards. Commissioner Tim Finchem presented the proposal at a mandatory players meeting at Torrey Pines. It involves merging the top 75 players from the Nationwide Tour money list and the top 75 players who failed to retain their PGA Tour cards. They would play a three-tournament series, with the top 50 advancing to the tour.

It's part of a broader plan to start the official season in late October, instead of waiting for the next calendar year.

Colleges

Auburn to replace trees that die

Auburn plans to replace the poisoned oak trees at Toomer's Corner if they die. Spokesman Mike Clardy said the trees' survival prospects will be clearer in the spring if they have new leaf growth. "They have continued to go downhill," he said.

Soccer

Barcelona beats Real Madrid

Pedro Rodriguez and Daniel Alves scored first-half goals, and host Barcelona held off a spirited Real Madrid comeback attempt to eliminate the defending Copa del Rey champion with a 2-2 tie. Barcelona advanced to the semifinals on 4-3 aggregate and next plays Valencia or Levante.

Elsewhere

• Former Syracuse goalkeeper Jeremy Vuolo, 25, has signed with the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer. He spent 2011 with a Finnish team, AC Oulu, recording 11 shutouts for the third-place squad.

• Two-time Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Seth Wescott is out for the season after surgery to repair a torn chest muscle. He's expected to make a full recovery.

Seattle Times news services