The Associated Press

Third baseman Aaron Boone agreed to a $5.75 million, one-year contract with the New York Yankees.

Boone, acquired from the Reds July 31, was in a slump during most of his time with the Yankees, hitting .254 with six homers and 31 RBI. His 11th-inning homer in Game 7 against Boston won the AL pennant for the Yankees, joining Bill Mazeroski, Chris Chambliss, Joe Carter and Todd Pratt as the only players to end a postseason series with a home run.

But Boone played a role in the World Series loss to Florida, striking out against Braden Looper with one out and the bases loaded in the 11th inning of Game 4. Florida won 4-3 in 12 innings to tie the Series at 2-all, then beat the Yankees in the next two games to take the title.

Boone, 30, is eligible for free agency after the 2004 season. He hit .273 with 18 homers and 65 RBI with the Reds, and was selected for his first All-Star appearance.

He made $3.7 million last season. New York sent left-handers Brandon Claussen and Charlie Manning to Cincinnati to obtain Boone, acquired partly because third base prospect Drew Henson has not made much progress at Triple-A Columbus. The former Michigan quarterback hit .234 with 14 homers, 40 doubles and 78 RBIs with the Clippers last season, striking out 122 times and making 28 errors at third base.

SEXSON DEAL COMPLETE: The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired slugger Richie Sexson from Milwaukee on Monday in a nine-player deal that sends infielder Craig Counsell and second baseman Junior Spivey to the Brewers.

First baseman Lyle Overbay, catcher Chad Moeller and left-handers Jorge De La Rosa and Chris Capuano also were dealt to Milwaukee.

In addition to Sexson, Arizona received left-hander Shane Nance and a player to be named.

The deal was finalized after Curt Schilling passed his physical with the Boston Red Sox. De La Rosa was one of four players sent to Arizona for Schilling, and could not be traded until the Schilling deal was finalized.

The Diamondbacks had long coveted the 6-foot, 7-inch Milwaukee first baseman as the right-handed power hitter the lineup lacked. With Shea Hillenbrand at third base, Arizona has a pair of solid right-handed bats in what has been, in recent years, a lineup dominated by left-handed hitters.

Sexson, 28, will earn $8.6 million next year.