Navarro Moves to White Sox

The Chicago White Sox went across town Wednesday to find a replacement for pitcher Alex Fernandez, lost to the Florida Marlins, and signed right-hander Jaime Navarro to a $20-million, four-year contract.

Navarro was 29-18 over the last two seasons with the Chicago Cubs, 15-12 last year with a 3.92 earned-run average in 35 starts.

“Over the last few years, Navarro has put up the same numbers Alex has,” White Sox Manager Terry Bevington said. “We feel we got a very, very good pitcher.” This has nothing to do with jabbing the Cubs, we’re just trying to strengthen our club.”

The White Sox also re-signed left-handed reliever Tony Castillo to a $2.35-million, two-year contract.

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The New York Yankees signed reliever Mike Stanton to a three-year deal worth $5.45 million and providing a safety net if the club can’t re-sign closer John Wetteland, the World Series MVP. Stanton was 4-4, with a 3.66 ERA and one save in 81 games with the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers.

“I would not necessarily say that he’s an insurance policy,” Bob Watson, New York’s general manager, said. “It makes it easier for [Manager] Joe Torre, since he has closing experience in the past.”

Wetteland is seeking a three- or four-year deal, and the Yankees are talking about two years and an option. Texas also appears interested, as are the Montreal Expos.

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The Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a $5-million, two-year contract with free-agent pitcher Mark Portugal; a $4.3-million, two-year deal with pitcher Mark Leiter and a two-year deal with catcher Mark Parent. Their pitching was 11th in the National League last season in earned-run average at 4.48.

Portugal, 34, was 8-9 with a 3.98 ERA for the Cincinnati Reds last season, and Leiter, 33, was 8-12 with the San Francisco Giants and Expos.

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The Cincinnati Reds signed Kent Mercker to a $1.1-million contract, plus an option season, and Ricky Bones to one worth $600,000 in an attempt to add depth to a starting rotation strained by budget cutbacks.

Mercker, who struggled last year with Baltimore and Cleveland, is projected as a fourth or fifth starter in a rotation that includes John Smiley, Dave Burba and Mike Morgan.

The Reds also agreed to minor league contracts with David Nied and Rodney Bolton, who will get chances to make the roster.

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Red owner Marge Schott, 68, has been hospitalized in Cincinnati with pneumonia. She is expected to be released in a few days. . . . Cincinnati filed a grievance with the National League claiming the San Francisco Giants failed to acknowledge that pitcher Tim Scott was injured when they put him on waivers. . . . Catcher Matt Walbeck was traded from the Minnesota Twins to the Detroit Tigers for right-hander Brent Stentz. . . . The Reds and Atlanta Braves were discussing a Bret Boone-Fred McGriff trade, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Boxing

Promoters promised tight security for the rematch of last summer’s riot-marred heavyweight bout between Riddick Bowe and Andrew Golota.

More than 100 security guards and city police officers will work Saturday’s fight in Atlantic City, N.J., and ringside access for the fighters’ camps will be restricted to eight people apiece, promoter Dino Duva said.

Billy Edwards, who trained former light-heavyweight world champion Bob Foster, has died at 90 near Baltimore.

Soccer

Iraq got two goals each from Hayder Majeed and Laith Hussein in a 4-1 victory over Thailand that advanced the Iraqis to the quarterfinals of the Asia Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Iran upset Saudi Arabia, 3-0.

Ronaldo, Alan Shearer and George Weah are the three finalists for the FIFA player-of-the-year award, to be announced Jan. 20.

Miscellany

Picabo Street, the best woman downhiller in the world the last two seasons, underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments in her left knee and will be off skis for six months. . . . Norwegians finished 1-2-3-4 in Nordic combined World Cup skiing competition at Steamboat Springs, Colo. . . . Olympians Michael Johnson and Amy Van Dyken, and golfer Tiger Woods are on the list of 42 nominees announced for the 67th Sullivan Award, given annually to the top amateur athlete in the United States.