Sports Briefs: Yankees replace Key with Wells

Wednesday, Dec. 18, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

David Wells and the New York Yankees finally agreed on a $13.5 million, three-year contract with an option that could be worth up to $18.55 million over four years.

Wells, a 33-year-old left-hander, became the Yankees' primary pitching target last Friday after Roger Clemens spurned New York and agreed to a $24.75 million, three-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. New York had been searching for a No. 3 starter since Jimmy Key agreed to a $7.88 million, two-year deal with Baltimore.

The Boston Red Sox, hunting for pitchers following the departure of Clemens, agreed to a $700,000, one-year deal with Chris Hammond on Tuesday. A baseball lawyer, speaking on the condition he not be identified, said the Red Sox also were in discussions with the agent for Steve Avery, in a three-year slump since going 18-6 for Atlanta in 1993.

Baltimore, looking to add a bat, was said to be in talks with the agent for Greg Vaughn. Another free-agent hitter, Mike Greenwell, said he planned to spend next season with the Hanshin Tigers, who are coming off a last-place finish in Japan's Central League.

Other baseball deals:

* Third baseman Leo Gomez was placed on unconditional release waivers by the Chicago Cubs. ... The Cubs gave left-hander Larry Casian a $75,000 raise. ... Detroit dealt left-hander Joey Eischen and right-hander Cam Smith to San Diego for catcher Brian Johnson and right-hander Willie Blair. ... Boston sent left-hander Brian Looney to Minnesota to complete the Aug. 26 trade for right-hander Pat Mahomes. ... Kansas City agreed to a minor-league contract with 38-year-old left-hander Juan Agosto.

Judge rules for Raiders

A judge ruled in San Jose, Calif., that the Oakland Raiders' lawsuit against the NFL for alleged mismanagement can go to trial. Superior Court Judge John Herlihy denied a motion by the NFL to dismiss Oakland's charges against the league, commissioner Paul Tagliabue and several teams. The Raiders filed the $200 million suit in February, accusing the defendants of gross mismanagement and breach of contract for their management of NFL Properties and the World League.

SI honors Woods

Tiger Woods, who made a spectacular transition to the PGA Tour, was designated Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated. Woods, who turns 21 on Dec. 30, won the NCAA Championships and an unprecedented third straight U.S. Amateur, then turned pro in August and won the Las Vegas Invitational and the Disney Classic.

Robertson going to jail

A San Antonio judge revoked the probation of former NBA guard Alvin Robertson in two assault cases. Bexar County Court-at-Law Judge Tim Johnson revoked Robertson's one-year probation Tuesday, meaning he will have to serve that time in jail. Robertson pleaded no contest in April to misdemeanor assault involving two women.

Sullivan defends IBF title

Obed Sullivan won an unpopular but unanimous 12-round decision over Sam Hampton Tuesday night in Baltimore to successfully defend his IBF Intercontinental heavyweight title. Sullivan (23-1-1) of Gulfport, Miss., has defended his title five times since winning the crown from Curtis Shepard on June 15, 1995, with a first-round knockout. Hampton (17-3-2), of Virginia Beach, Va., came into the bout unranked and known more for his fighting prowess outside the ring.