BOSTON — The winning bidders for the Red Sox renewed their pledge Friday to expand Fenway Park but didn't rule out the possibility of building a new ballpark elsewhere.

        The fate of Fenway, the oldest and smallest ballpark in the major leagues, was a key question during bidding for the team.

        John Henry, who plans to sell the Florida Marlins to help finance the winning $660 million bid, and partner Tom Werner, the former owner of the San Diego Padres, left little doubt about their preference.

        “Fenway Park is one of the great landmarks of New England,” Henry said Friday. “When I think of Paris, I think of the Eiffel Tower. When I think of Boston, I think of Fenway.”

        The fate of general manager Dan Duquette, however, seemed more tenuous.

        Despite a good offseason in which he acquired first baseman Tony Clark, outfielder Johnny Damon and pitchers Dustin Hermanson, John Burkett and Darren Oliver, he may be gone.

        Larry Lucchino would become president and chief executive officer and will oversee baseball operations. He is the former president of the Baltimore Orioles and the Padres, where he was forced out by current owner John Moores in July.

        Henry's deal for the Red Sox — who own Fenway Park and 80 percent of the New England Sports Network — still must receive approval from 75 percent or more of the 30 major league owners, who could vote on the deal when they meet in mid-January.

        “We do not own the team so it would be presumptive to start talking about changes,” Henry said, although Lucchino said some will be made.

        The Red Sox also announced that Damon, the free-agent center fielder who spent last season with Oakland, agreed to a $31 million, four-year contract.

        “After the Everett trade I knew Boston had a void for a leadoff hitter and a center fielder, so this is perfect,” the outfielder said at a news conference.

        CONTRACTION:

        The Minnesota Twins still don't know if they have a future, but they finally have a schedule.

        Minnesota, one of the teams commissioner Bud Selig wants to eliminate before next season, announced its 2002 schedule Friday. The Twins start the season on a 10-game trip to Kansas City, Toronto and Cleveland, then open at the Metrodome on April 12 against Detroit.

        Robert DuPuy, baseball's chief legal officer, notified teams Thursday night they could release tentative schedules, but said Selig will press forward with contraction.

        The AL champion New York Yankees will start selling individual game tickets Wednesday, but the Twins will wait a few weeks.

        “All tickets are being sold subject to change,” DuPuy said.

        It's unclear if fans buying individual game tickets will be able to get refunds if opponents change.

        “The policy is being set by the individual clubs,” DuPuy said. “The ticket holders will be treated fairly across the board.”

        MO & METS:

        The Mets admit they want Mo Vaughn. The Anaheim Angels admit they're talking to New York about dealing the oft-injured first baseman.

        Steve Phillips even admits the Mets traveled to the Boston area to view the object of their desire.

        Only, there's still no deal to bring the power hitter to New York.

        “We're continuing to talk to the Angels. It's not appropriate to talk about details. Nothing is imminent,” the Mets general manager said. “It could happen today. It could happen a week from now. I don't know everybody's plans, and I don't know how discussions will go.”

        Phillips admitted a three-way trade is a possibility. In a possibility involving Los Angeles, outfielder Marquis Grissom, pitcher Kevin Appier and pitcher Matt Herges would wind up with the Angels, and pitcher Troy Percival and infielder Lenny Harris would go to the Dodgers. The Mets also were dangling first baseman Todd Zeile.

        “We've talked with the Mets,” Angels spokesman Tim Mead said. “... Those discussions are among several we've had involving personnel with different clubs. The process continues. The Mets asked for our permission to watch Mo work out recently and that request was granted.”

        Vaughn 34, didn't play last season following surgery to repair a ruptured biceps tendon in his left arm last February.

        RANGERS:

        Chan Ho Park's agent was headed to Texas this weekend to try to finalize a $65 million, five-year contract with the Rangers.

        “We're continuing to talk and we've had some breakthroughs as to what we're doing,” agent Scott Boras said.

        Boras and the Rangers have an understanding on the format of the deal, according to a lawyer familiar with the negotiations who spoke on the condition he not be identified. The sides were close to an agreement but had not yet agreed on all the details, the lawyer said.

        ASTROS:

        Free-agent pitcher T.J. Mathews agreed Friday to a $1 million, one-year contract with the Houston Astros, who also signed pitcher C.J. Nitkowski to a minor league deal.

        “Mathews gives us an experienced relief pitcher who has filled a number of roles throughout his career, including closing,” general manager Gerry Hunsicker said. “His versatility will also complement our bullpen.”

        Mathews, 31, has a career record of 32-26 with a 3.84 ERA and 16 saves, pitching for Oakland and St. Louis. He was a combined 1-1 with a 4.30 ERA and one save in 30 relief appearances last season for the Athletics and Cardinals.

        Nitkowski, 28, returns to the Astros after pitching for Detroit and the New York Mets. He has a career record of 16-30 with a 5.37 ERA in 270 games, including 44 starts.

        “We see him primarily as a reliever,” Hunsicker said. “C.J. gives us a left-hander to add to our bullpen.”

        EXPOS:

        Unsure whether the franchise will exist next season, Montreal agreed to a $300,000, one-year contract with right-hander Masato Yoshii and a minor league deal with outfielder Mark Smith.

        YANKEES:

        New York admitted that catcher Jorge Posada had arthroscopic shoulder surgery several weeks ago.

        “He had a small labrum tear,” manager Joe Torre said. “He's going to be ready by opening day, no question.”

        New York wanted to keep the operation secret until it signed another backup catcher. General manager Brian Cashman announced a one-year deal with Alberto Castillo.

       DODGERS-INDIANS TRADE:

        Los Angeles acquired outfielder Dave Roberts from Cleveland in exchange for two minor league pitchers.

        Roberts split time between the Indians, Triple-A Buffalo and Double-A Akron last season. He played in 15 games with the Indians, getting four hits in 12 at-bats and driving in two runs.

        Roberts has played in 75 big-league games, hitting .242 with two homers, 14 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. He has stolen 280 bases in his eight-year minor league career.

        The Indians receive left-handers Christian Bridenbaugh and Nial Hughes in the deal.

        Bridenbaugh, 22, was 3-6 with a 3.68 ERA in 21 games for Single-A Wilmington last season, and Hughes, 24, was 2-4 with a 3.75 ERA in 27 games with Wilmington and the rookie level Gulf Coast League Dodgers.

        WHITE SOX-ANGELS SWAP:

        Chicago swapped minor leaguers with Anaheim, bringing infielder Josh Shaffer to his father's organization.

        Shaffer is the son of Duane Shaffer, the White Sox's senior director of scouting.

        The White Sox got Shaffer and outfielder Scott Bikowski from the Angels in exchange for left-handed pitcher Dan Mozingo and right-hander Jim Sweeney. Both Bikowski and Shaffer will be assigned within Chicago's minor-league system.

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