BASEBALL NOTES

The financing plan to build the Seattle Mariners’ new ballpark withstood a U.S. Supreme Court challenge, as the justices turned away a claim that the use of public money was wrongly approved.

Opponents of the financing plan say they’ll now try to change the state law that made it possible.

*

John Valentin and the Boston Red Sox are close to agreement on a four-year contract worth between $25 million and $28 million, a source said.

The source said only a few details needed to be wrapped up and an announcement might come today or Thursday. Valentin, who made $3.8 million last year, asked for $7 million Monday in salary arbitration and the Red Sox offered $5.5 million.

*

Mike Hampton, who recovered from a slow start last season to finish 15-10, was rewarded by the Houston Astros with a $12-million, three-year contract.

Hampton slumped last spring when pitching coach Vern Ruhle and Manager Larry Dierker changed his pitching style. He was 3-7 with a 5.29 earned-run average at the end of June. In July, he started a career-best seven-game winning streak that included five complete games and two shutouts.

*

Russ Springer and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to terms on a $1.65-million, two-year contract.

Springer, a 29-year-old right-hander, was Arizona’s third pick in the third round of November’s expansion draft. The former Angel must pass a physical before the deal is finalized.

*

Toronto Blue Jay first baseman Carlos Delgado agreed to a $2.4-million, one-year contract, nearly five times his $500,000 salary last season.

Delgado, who will miss the first two months of the season after arthroscopic surgery Monday on his right shoulder, hit .262 last year and led the team with 30 homers and 42 doubles. He had 96 runs batted in, second on the team behind Joe Carter’s 102.

Also, Toronto agreed to a minor-league contract with outfielder Phil Plantier.

*

Career saves leader Lee Smith and Terry Pendleton agreed to minor-league contracts with the Kansas City Royals and were invited to spring training.

Smith, 40, made 25 appearances for the Montreal Expos in 1997, going 0-1 with five saves and a 5.82 ERA. The right-hander had 478 saves during 18 seasons with the Cubs, Red Sox, Cardinals, Yankees, Orioles, Angels, Reds and Expos.

Pendleton, 37, hit .248 with one homer and 17 RBIs in 50 games for the Reds in 1997.

*

Mike Ilitch, owner of the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings, was discharged from William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., less than a week after heart bypass surgery.

Ilitch, 68, underwent the non-emergency operation Jan. 14. Doctors said the surgery was successful and a complete recovery was expected.

Ilitch, who underwent double heart bypass surgery in 1982, is one of the 400 richest people in the United States with a net worth of $630 million, according to Forbes magazine.