The Associated Press

The New York Yankees made their first big move of the offseason, bolstering their rotation by agreeing Thursday to acquire Javier Vazquez from the Montreal Expos.

In exchange for the 27-year-old right-hander, New York sent first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera and left-hander Randy Choate to Montreal. The deal is contingent on all the players passing physicals.

Vazquez fills one of the holes in the Yankees' starting rotation. He went 13-12 with a 3.24 ERA for the Expos last season, ranking third in the NL in strikeouts with 241 in 230 2/3 innings.

New York's rotation is unsettled. Roger Clemens retired, and Andy Pettitte and David Wells filed for free agency. In addition, Wells had back surgery Tuesday.

Johnson, 25, played first base for much of last season because of Jason Giambi's knee injury after starting the season as the regular designated hitter. While he's regarded as a top hitter - he batted .284 with 14 homers, 47 RBI and a .422 on-base percentage - he has been injury prone throughout his career.

Rivera, 25, hit .266 with seven homers and 26 RBI in 173 at-bats and has a strong throwing arm.

Montreal, which is owned by the other 29 teams, is faced with payroll limits. Vazquez, eligible for salary arbitration, probably will get a raise from the $6 million he made last season after losing his hearing. He is eligible for free agency after next season.

TICKET SCANDAL: The Yankees could be fined as much as $100,000 by the state if they violated lobbying laws by giving free tickets to top politicians, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The state's Temporary Commission on Lobbying plans a civil penalty hearing early next year.

The team denies any wrongdoing.

UMP ATTACKER SENTENCED: A man who attacked an umpire at a Chicago White Sox game this year pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated battery.

Eric Dybas was immediately sentenced to six months in jail and 30 months of probation. He had faced up to five years in prison.

Dybas, 25, was arrested and charged April 15 after he ran onto the field during a White Sox home game against the Kansas City Royals and tried to tackle umpire Laz Diaz.

RED SOX: Terry Francona was hired as the next Boston manager Thursday, joining his former Philadelphia Phillies ace, Curt Schilling, in an effort to bring the Red Sox their first title since 1918.

CARDINALS: Center fielder Jim Edmonds had shoulder surgery Thursday, and he is expected to be healed by spring training.

BONDS: Barry Bonds became the highest-profile athlete to appear before a grand jury focusing on possible tax and drug violations by a California lab that supplied nutritional supplements to Bonds and other sports stars.

Benito Santiago testified for 45 minutes later in the afternoon.

Bonds repeatedly has denied using steroids.