CC Sabathia, likely to command the largest contract among this year's free-agent pitchers, was offered salary arbitration yesterday by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Teams had until midnight to make the offers to free agents. If a club offers arbitration to a top free agent, as determined by a complex statistical formula, and he then signs with another club, his former team receives extra selections in next June's amateur draft as compensation.

Milwaukee also offered arbitration to pitchers Ben Sheets and Brian Shouse.

Also, A.J. Burnett, another top free-agent pitcher this offseason, was offered arbitration by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Burnett opted out of the final two seasons of his five-year contract, deciding to try free agency and forgo $24 million the Blue Jays would have owed him.

Players offered arbitration have until Sunday to accept the offers.

The Los Angeles Angels offfered arbitration to first baseman Mark Teixeira and reliever Francisco Rodriguez, the Los Angeles Dodgers offered outfielder Manny Ramirez and pitcher Derek Lowe, Seattle offered outfielder Raul Ibanez, and Kansas City offered it to second baseman Mark Grudzielanek.

The New York Yankees declined arbitration with pitcher Andy Pettitte, right fielder Bobby Abreu, first baseman Jason Giambi and five others. Others who were declined arbitration were Angels outfielder Garret Anderson, Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal and second baseman Jeff Kent, and Oakland designated hitter Frank Thomas.

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Red Sox: Boston and Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa have agreed to a major-league contract, according to two newspaper reports. The 22-year-old right-hander, who has never played professional baseball, agreed to a deal worth about $3 million, the Boston Globe reported yesterday. The Boston Herald reported Tazawa likely would sign a three-year contract by today.

Hall of Fame ballot: Career steals leader Rickey Henderson heads 10 first-time candidates on this year's Hall of Fame ballot, joining holdovers Mark McGwire and Jim Rice, who is eligible for the final time. Other newcomers are Jay Bell, David Cone, Ron Gant, Mark Grace, Jesse Orosco, Dan Plesac, Greg Vaughn, Mo Vaughn and Matt Williams.

Astros: Left-hander Mike Hampton and Houston reached a preliminary agreement on a $2 million, one-year contract that would contain an additional $2 million in bonuses. He must pass a physical for the deal to be finalized. Hampton made 13 starts for Atlanta last season.