Holliday appears headed from the Rockies to A’s

Outfielder Matt Holliday might be traded to the Oakland Athletics.

Two people familiar with the proposed deal said Monday the A’s and the Colorado Rockies have reached a tentative agreement. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been finalized.

It was unclear whom Colorado would get for the two-time All-Star. One of the people said reliever Huston Street, left-handed starter Greg Smith and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez were among the players who had been discussed.

Smith and Gonzalez were among the six players Oakland acquired last winter when it traded ace right-hander Dan Haren to Arizona.

Holliday, the most valuable player of the 2007 National League Championship Series, is due $13.5 million next season and then will be eligible to become a free agent.

The tentative trade was earlier reported by SI.com and ESPN.com.

“Talks are continuing. They’re very fluid and at this point, everything’s speculation,” Rockies spokesman Jay Alves said, speaking on behalf of General Manager Dan O’Dowd.

Oakland owner Lew Wolff wouldn’t confirm or deny a trade, but said he had spoken with General Manager Billy Beane three times Monday.

“Billy’s doing different things right now,” Wolff said.

The A’s are better known for cutting payroll during a rebuilding process that Beane is committed to at all levels in the organization.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays third baseman Evan Longoria was voted American League rookie of the year and Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto was recognized in the National League. Longoria was a unanimous selection in a vote by the Baseball Writers’ Assn. of America. Soto received 31 of 32 first-place votes. . . . MLB.com announced, citing sources, that the Florida Marlins are trading starting pitcher Scott Olsen and outfielder Josh Willingham to the Washington Nationals for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and minor leaguers P.J. Dean, a pitcher, and Jake Smolinski, a middle infielder. An announcement is expected today. Neither team would comment. . . . The San Diego Padres withdrew their $4-million offer to Trevor Hoffman, leaving it unclear whether they would continue to negotiate with the career saves leader. . . . Left-handed reliever Scott Eyre signed a $2-million, one-year contract to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies. . . . The World Series champion Phillies will play host to the Atlanta Braves on April 5 in the 2009 major league opener.

TENNIS

Spain loses Nadal

Top-ranked Rafael Nadal will sit out Spain’s Davis Cup final against Argentina because of tendinitis in his right knee.

Spain, which is looking to win its third Cup title since 2000, plays host Argentina in indoor hard court Nov. 21-23.

Roger Federer committed 50 unforced errors and lost to Gilles Simon, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, in a Red Group match of the Masters Cup at Shanghai.

Federer also lost his opening match last year before going on to win his fourth Masters Cup title.

In the other Red Group match, Andy Murray beat Andy Roddick, 6-4, 1-6, 6-1.

GOLF

Garcia is No. 2

Sergio Garcia’s playoff victory over Oliver Wilson in the HSBC Champions at Shanghai gave the Spaniard a career-high No. 2 world ranking.

Garcia made a seven-foot birdie on the second playoff hole after Wilson missed a 10-foot putt.

Garcia forced the playoff by making a five-foot birdie putt on No. 18 on Sunday to finish with a four-under 68 and tie Wilson at 14-under 274.

The Englishman reached the playoff by saving his par on No. 18 with a seven-foot putt for a 70.

ETC.

Duke starts fast

Kyle Singler scored 12 of his 19 points during the decisive first half, and No. 8-ranked Duke opened its season by beating Presbyterian, 80-49, at Durham, N.C., in the first round of the 2K Sports Classic. Coach Mike Krzyzewski improved to 27-2 in home openers. . . . UCLA (18-0-2) received one of four national No. 1 seedings for the NCAA women’s soccer championships and will play host to Fresno State (11-8-2) in a first-round game Friday at 5:30 p.m., followed by San Diego (14-4-2) against Long Beach State (14-4-4) at 8 p.m. The winners will meet in the second round at 1 p.m. Sunday. USC, seeded fourth, opens in Provo, Utah, as the Trojans (15-4-1) play Boston University (15-5-1) in a first-round match Thursday.