Justin Upton has lived with high expectations virtually since the day he picked up a baseball bat.

Now at 22, with two full major league seasons already behind him, he says he welcomes the challenge of living up to the $51.25 million, six-year contract he signed on Wednesday with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the second-largest deal in franchise history.

With his parents Manny and Yvonne looking on proudly at a news conference, the outfielder said he understands the responsibility that comes with this big a contract at such a young age.

I do kind of put that pressure on myself, he said. I want to be great, thats the thing. If you want to be great, then you set your goals higher.

Upton earned his first All-Star berth last season, when he hit .300 with 26 homers and 86 RBIs.

His statistics are compared favorably with those of some of the games greats at the same age. His OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of .836 compares with the early numbers of Al Kaline, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez.

Theres a lot to live up to, he said, and I think Im ready for that.

He gets a $1.25 million signing bonus, half on April 15 and the rest on July 15. He receives salaries of $500,000 this year, $4.25 million in 2011, $6.75 million in 2012, $9.75 million in 2013, $14.25 million in 2014 and $14.5 million in 2015.

We view him as a core player, one of our key pieces, general manager Josh Byrnes said, and as we view the next six years the kind of guy we want to build around.

The only bigger contract in Diamondbacks history was the $52.4 million, four-year deal Randy Johnson signed in 1999.

This is something you dream about. For it to come true, it really hasnt sunk in yet, Upton said. My parents have definitely been a special part of my life to get me to this point. Its definitely a special day. Im glad they could be here. I know theyre as happy as I am.

Upton has had the pressure of high expectations for years, following the path of his older brother B.J., who was the No. 2 draft pick overall in 2002. Justin was one better, chosen No. 1 by Arizona in the 2005 draft.

He played less than two years in the minors before being called up by the Diamondbacks in 2007 one month shy of his 20th birthday.

Manager A.J. Hinch was the newly hired director of player personnel when Upton first was signed in January 2006.

We know him very well. We have a great relationship. To be able to have him as a centerpiece of our organization is a great advantage, Hinch said. Hes already had productive seasons and hes still got a lot of room to grow, which is exciting to see and also scary for the National League.

While he has a quick, even picturesque, swing, his form in the outfield is a work in progress. Upton had played only eight games in right field in the minors before being installed there at the major league level in 2007.

Byrnes compared his outfield issues with a young Vlad Guerrero, with the speed and talent to get to balls but not necessarily the finesse that comes from learning the position well.

Byrnes said that teams in markets like Arizonas have to make a move to keep their young talent as long as possible.

We generally need to go early to deal with free agency, and weve done that in a number of cases, Byrnes said. There might be more risk because youre going early and youre going longer, but I think the reward justifies those types of moves.

The general manager noted that Brandon Webb would not be under contract and Dan Haren would be entering his final year had the team not signed them early. Webb is in the final year of his contract.

However, sometimes contracts can backfire. Outfielder Chris Youngs performance at the plate was dismal in the wake of the $28 million, five-year contract he signed in 2008, although he did improve after a stint with Triple-A Reno last season.

Upton said he considered going year by year in arbitration and eventual free agency before choosing security.

They made a comfortable deal with the years. Thats something that definitely factored in, he said. I was comfortable with their proposal and the direction that theyre going.

Uptons father said he didnt sleep too well the past few nights knowing the agreement was close. Plainly proud of both sons, he said he has to work on Justin not being so hard on himself during times of adversity.

Sometimes I have to be the sounding board to make sure hes not beating himself up, Manny Upton said.

Justin Upton said he hasnt been sleeping too well lately, either.

But now that its over with everyones happy, he said. Thats all that matters.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy confirmed on Sunday that he has had conversations with general manager Kenny Williams about acquiring San Diego Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

Peavy, who was teammates with Gonzalez in San Diego, gave Williams information about the sluggers character as well as his ability during their conversations.

Obviously, Kenny asked me at one point last winter what kind of a guy Gonzalez is, Peavy said. I went into full recruiting mode. Let me tell you something. This guy is as good a player as there is in the big leagues. I know a lot of people dont get to see him because he plays in San Diego. Adrian Gonzalez! It doesnt get a lot better than that.

You put Albert Pujols and maybe a few guys above him, but he hits 40 home runs where he doesnt get much protection in a huge ballpark Petco Park in a division where pitching is prominent. I said to Williams listen, if you put this guy in the mix on this team, a left-handed bat in the middle of the lineup, a guy that could spell Paulie Konerko at first and is a Gold Glover. There is not much bad about the guy.

I told Kenny absolutely if you put this guy on your club hes a great person as well.

The Padres have been approached by numerous teams in the offseason about the availability of Gonzalez. The smart money has been on the Boston Red Sox as the ultimate front-runner if a trade is ever worked out.

The Padres have hesitated to trade Gonzalez up to this point because he is a San Diego native and one of the only reasons to buy tickets to watch a young and upcoming Padres team.

Gonzalez batted .277 with 40 home runs and 99 runs batted in last season. Gonzalez, 27, is a career .285 hitter and has averaged 32 home runs and 100 RBIs in four seasons with the Padres.

With new ownership, the Padres are trying to show as much fiscal restraint as possible because they came in under capitalized. The San Diego market also is difficult to project as far as corporate sponsorships and tickets sales because the 40-man roster is in transition.

The White Sox have been looking for for production from the left side since they decided not to re-sign Jim Thome. The White Sox missed out on Johnny Damon, whom they offered a one-year, $6 million deal before he signed with Detroit for $8 million.

Mets shortstop Jose Reyes said Sunday he met with federal investigators last week regarding a Canadian doctor accused of selling an unapproved drug.

Dr. Anthony Galea is facing four charges in his country related to the unapproved drug known as Actovegin, which is extracted from calfs blood and used for healing. His assistant also has been charged in the U.S. for having HGH and another drug while crossing the border in September.

Galea is known for using a blood-spinning technique — platelet-rich plasma therapy — that is designed to speed recovery from injuries. Besides Reyes, he has also treated Tiger Woods and several other professional athletes.

They just asked me basically how I met the guy and stuff like that and what he put in my body, Reyes said. I explained to them what he was doing. … I dont worry about anything because I didnt do anything wrong.

SI.com reported Saturday night that federal officials have told several athletes to expect grand jury subpoenas in the case. The Web site cited three anonymous sources familiar with the investigation.

The New York Times reported in December, citing anonymous sources, that the FBI opened an investigation into Galea based in part on medical records found on his computer relating to several professional athletes.

Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said the team was aware of the situation, and manager Jerry Manuel said he isnt worried about it becoming a distraction.

Reyes said he met with investigators for about 45 minutes at the Mets spring facility after they contacted him Thursday morning. One of his agents, Chris Leible, also was present.

The Daily News of New York was the first to report Reyes had met with investigators.

Reyes, who missed much of last season with right leg problems, said he spent five days in Toronto in September and was treated by Galea three times. The shortstop was asked by investigators if he used HGH.

They asked me if he injected me with that. I say No, Reyes said. What we do there, basically, he took my blood out, put it in some machines, spin it out and put it back in my leg. So I explained to them that.

Reyes said he felt better for a while after the treatment but his leg still didnt respond when he tried to push it. He had surgery in October to clean up some scar tissue remaining from a torn hamstring tendon behind his right knee.

Galea was arrested Oct. 15 after a search warrant was executed at the Institute of Sports Medicine Health and Wellness Centre near Toronto. He is charged with selling Actovegin, conspiracy to import an unapproved drug, conspiracy to export a drug and smuggling goods into Canada.

Galeas lawyer, Brian H. Greenspan, has said his client has denied any wrongdoing. Greenspan also has said Galea has used HGH himself and prescribed it to non-athlete patients over the age of 40 to improve their quality of life, but said he has never given it to athletes.

The Times also reported in December that Galea visited Woods home in Florida at least four times in February and March to provide the platelet therapy. Woods was recovering from June 2008 knee surgery.

During his public apology for cheating on his wife, Woods said any allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs were completely and utterly false. Greenspan has said the golfer is in no way linked to the charges against Galea.

The investigation into Galea began when his assistant, who often drove the doctor around, was stopped attempting to enter the United States from Canada.

Vials and ampules containing human growth hormone and Actovegin were found in a car driven by Mary Anne Catalano, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and U.S. federal court documents.

Catalano, a Canadian, told American authorities at the border in Buffalo, N.Y., that she knew the drugs were illegal and that she was transporting them for her employer. According to an affidavit, Catalano also told authorities that her boss instructed her to say she was coming to a medical conference if she were questioned about the purpose of her trip and also to say that none of the equipment was for treating patients.

Dr. Gary Wadler said in December that the International Olympic Committee became concerned about Actovegin in 2000 after it appeared during that years Tour de France. The drug was placed on the banned list, then removed a year later because more evidence was needed as to whether it was performance-enhancing or damaging to athletes health, said Wadler, who leads the committee that determines the World Anti-Doping Agencys banned-substances list.

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Webb feels good after his latest throwing session.

The former Cy Young winner is coming back from surgery on his right shoulder last August. He threw 45 pitches on Thursday and calls it another step forward in his recovery.

Webb expects to be ready to start the Diamondbacks third game of the regular season. Dan Haren will pitch the opener, followed by Edwin Jackson.

Former NL Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne has agreed to a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and would receive a $500,000, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster.

Gagne won the 2003 NL Cy Young with the Dodgers, when he converted all 55 save chances, and saved 152 games over three seasons through 2004. The right-hander converted a record 84 consecutive save chances during that time, but had operations on his pitching elbow in 2005 and 2006, and back surgery in 2006.

Now 34, he hasnt pitched in the majors since 2008, when he was 4-3 with a 5.44 ERA and 10 saves in 17 chances for Milwaukee. The Brewers released him from a minor league contract last March after doctors found he had a frayed rotator cuff. He signed with the Quebec Capitales of the independent Can-Am League and went 6-6 with a 4.65 ERA in 17 starts.

The Mitchell Report accused Gagne of receiving human growth hormone in 2004. He apologized to Milwaukee teammates for a distraction that shouldnt be taking place but didnt directly address the allegation.

Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie and the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract that avoided arbitration.

The 30-year-old right-hander receives more than four times the $650,000 he made last year, when he was 10-17 with a 5.04 ERA in 33 starts and a career-high 200 innings.

His agreement was just above the midpoint of $2,962,500. Guthrie had asked for $3,625,000 when exchanging figures with the Orioles last month, and the team had offered $2.3 million.

Tim Lincecum can finally move forward from a contract situation that was unsettled all winter and focus on baseball again. Same goes for the San Francisco Giants.

Lincecum and the Giants reached a preliminary agreement Friday on a $23 million, two-year contract ahead of the scheduled start of an arbitration hearing.

The two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner had been set to ask for an arbitration-record $13 million salary for 2010 during a hearing Friday in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Lincecum gets a $2 million signing bonus, $8 million this year, $13 million in 2011 and the chance to earn performance and award bonuses. The agreement is subject to a physical.

The tiny, hard-throwing pitcher his teammates call Franchise and Freak is getting a nice raise from his $650,000 salary last year.

Things came together Friday morning in a surprising development, Giants vice president of baseball operations Bobby Evans said in a phone interview before leaving Florida. The Giants did offer Lincecum a three-year deal.

Its a win-win for both sides, Evans said, noting nothing will be official until Lincecum passes the physical. I had no idea. I was not expecting a settlement at all. I dont know what changed. Its always ideal to have something both agree to as opposed to a third party figuring it out. We can focus on baseball from here forward.

In addition to his salary, Lincecum would earn $200,000 for pitching 225 innings, a figure he reached in each of his two full seasons. He would get $500,000 for each Cy Young Award, $250,000 for second, $100,000 for third, $75,000 for fourth and $50,000 for fifth. He also would get $100,000 each time hes an All-Star, $100,000 for NL MVP, $75,000 for World Series MVP and $50,000 for league championship series MVP.

The 25-year-old right-hander said last week he thought the Giants might bring up his offseason marijuana arrest in Washington state during a hearing, but insisted there would be no hard feelings. He was hoping for a multiyear deal to stay put in San Francisco.

The deal was a big relief for both sides heading into the start of spring training next week in Scottsdale, Ariz. The Giants offered their ace $8 million when the parties exchanged numbers last month, and there was thought they might have lost and had to pay him even more come 2011. Lincecum, who is eligible for free agency after the 2013 season, said he realized through the process theres a tough business side to all this.

A message left for Lincecum on Friday morning wasnt immediately returned.

Going to arbitration, everybody knows what can happen and the feelings that can get hurt, he said last week. Im just trying to keep an open mind. If anybody knows my flaws, I do. If theyre going to point them out and that has to happen, then whatever. I know Ive got to get better. I dont feel like my feelings are hurt.

Lincecum, already a two-time All-Star, owns a 40-17 record and 2.90 ERA with 676 strikeouts in three big league seasons. He won 18 games in his first Cy Young season of 2008, then 15 to win again last season after leading the league with 261 strikeouts and tying for top marks in the NL with four complete games and two shutouts.

Two other top pitchers recently received five-year contracts, with Detroits Justin Verlander getting $80 million and Seattles Felix Hernandez $78 million. Lincecum tried not to think too much about their deals and focus on his own situation.

On Jan. 19, the same day salary numbers were exchanged, Lincecum agreed to pay $513 to resolve marijuana charges against him in Washington state.

The pitcher originally faced two misdemeanor charges of marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession stemming from a traffic stop on Oct. 30. The charges were reduced to a civil infraction.

Lincecum appeared in Clark County District Court before Judge Darvin Zimmerman, and Giants managing partner Bill Neukom was in court in a sign of support for Lincecum.

He paid a speeding ticket separately.

I think a lot of growing up has to do with experiences you go through, whether that be good or bad, Lincecum said after winning his second Cy Young. Theres different people who go through different experiences that shape them. Its unfortunate also that you have to go through the bumps, like I am going through, to get to where you think you need to be. Its just about changing yourself and looking for the right road to take instead of making it hard on yourself.

Astros reliever Brandon Lyon had surgery to drain a small cyst in his pitching shoulder but is expected to be ready for spring training.

The team said in a statement Tuesday that Lyon had the cyst drained two weeks ago and has been throwing without discomfort since. The right-hander is expected to begin workouts with his new club Feb. 20, when pitchers and catchers report for spring training in Kissimmee, Fla.

He might be about 10 days behind in his throwing program, the Astros said.

Houston signed Lyon as a free agent in December to a $15 million, three-year contract.

Brandon was experiencing some weakness and discomfort in his shoulder, and we brought him in a couple of weeks ago to be seen, general manager Ed Wade said. At the time of his pre-signing physical, his right shoulder MRI showed a very small cyst, and when the MRI was repeated recently, it showed that the cyst had enlarged and was pressing on some nerves.

Since having it drained, Brandon reports no problems, but he will be making up for a little bit of lost time when he gets to Kissimmee.

Lyon was 6-5 with a 2.86 ERA and three saves in 65 relief appearances for Detroit last year.

In other news, minor league second baseman Jose Vallejo will undergo right hand surgery Wednesday and miss most of the 2010 season.

The 23-year-old Vallejo cut tendons in two fingers while preparing a meal at his home in the Dominican Republic during the Christmas holidays. His hand slid over the blade of a knife that he was using to cut meat, the team said.

Houston acquired Vallejo last August from Texas as part of the Ivan Rodriguez trade.

Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said there is not a clear-cut date for the return for pitcher Ted Lilly, who is coming back from left shoulder surgery cleanup.

Media reports have circulated that Lilly wont return until late April or early May.

I talked to Mark ONeil trainer last week, and he said he is coming along fine, Hendry said. If he starts April 15 that will be fine. I dont see it being anything unless there is some kind of setback that happens in camp. It was a real minor procedure. In fairness to Ted, were not going to rush him either. If hes 95 percent on Opening Day then we will wait until he is 100 percent.

Lilly, entering the fourth and final season on his contract with the Cubs, tied Randy Wells for the team lead in wins last season with 12. He is 44-26 in three seasons with the Cubs.

Free-agent left-hander Erik Bedard is coming back to the Seattle Mariners.

General manager Jack Zduriencik announced Saturday morning the team and the oft-injured 30-year-old agreed to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2011.

The contract is expected to have a base salary a fraction of the $7.75 million Bedard made last season, and it would likely include incentive clauses.

He is rehabilitating in his native Canada following surgery in August to repair a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder. The normal recovery time for the procedure would have him making his season debut in June at the earliest.

After two disappointing seasons with Bedard, Seattle no longer needs him to be on top of a rotation that includes Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez.