The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS - Kevin Brown gave his tentative approval Friday to the proposed trade that would send him from Los Angeles to the Yankees for Jeff Weaver. New York also closed in on signing free agent outfielder Kenny Lofton to a two-year contract for about $6 million.

"We've pretty much completed everything we needed to complete with the Dodgers," said the pitcher's agent, Scott Boras. "Now, we're dealing with the Yankees."

The main issue from Brown's standpoint involves airplanes. As part of his Dodgers' contract, the team pays for 12 private jet trips for his family from its home in Macon, Ga., to his in-season home or to selected games, and for ground transportation.

"We're just trying to put together a plan for the jet service in his contract with his family," Boras said. "If we get everything worked out, he's consented to go."

Brown, a hard-throwing right-hander who turns 39 in March, would take over one of the spots in the rotation vacated by the retirement of Roger Clemens and the defection of Andy Pettitte to the Houston Astros.

Brown is owed $15 million in each of the next two seasons. He was 14-9 with a 2.39 ERA last season after injuries limited him to 19 starts in 2001 and 10 in 2002.

Lofton's move to New York also appeared closer. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner seems to want the leadoff man who, at 36, hit .296 with 30 steals for Pittsburgh and the Cubs last season.

Toronto made the first move of the annual swap session, agreeing with free agent pitcher Miguel Batista on a $13.1 million, three-year contract. Yet that deal was overshadowed by the possibility of bigger things and bigger names.

Texas and the Red Sox kept talking about their potential blockbuster - Alex Rodriguez for Manny Ramirez - and free agent closer Keith Foulke was trying to decide between re-signing with Oakland or going to Boston.

Greg Maddux might have a new home, too, by the time the meetings end Monday. The four-time Cy Young winner was let loose last week by Atlanta, and the Chicago Cubs and San Diego were among the teams said to be interested.

Free agent outfielder Mike Cameron was in town, with the New York Mets and Oakland in pursuit.

"In the next couple of days, he should be making a decision," Mets general manager Jim Duquette said.

Free agent pitcher Jeff Suppan and St. Louis were hoping to reach an agreement, as were Todd Zeile and Los Angeles.

Also available is slugger Juan Gonzalez. He turned down a trade from Texas to Montreal late last season and his agent, Alan Nero, said 10 teams had inquired about the oft-injured, two-time AL MVP.

None of the Yankees' top executives was expected in New Orleans.

The Blue Jays have been revamping their rotation since the season ended, signing Batista and Pat Hentgen and trading for Ted Lilly.

Batista was 10-9 with a 3.54 ERA for Arizona last season. The Diamondbacks cut him loose earlier this month when they didn't offer him salary arbitration.

PHILLIES: Manager Larry Bowa got some more job security Friday.

Philadelphia exercised its 2005 option on Bowa and added team options for 2006 and 2007.

Bowa, the 2001 NL Manager of the Year, has led the Phillies to a 252-233 record in three seasons, twice finishing second.

TONY C. AWARD: Oakland Athletics reliever Jim Mecir, who has pitched nine seasons in the major leagues despite being born with two club feet, will receive the Tony Conigliaro Award for overcoming adversity through spirit, determination and courage.

The award is named for the promising Red Sox player whose career essentially ended when he was hit in the face by a pitch in 1967.