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Baseball • First baseman Joey Votto will receive a big raise after powering the Cincinnati Reds to their first playoff appearance in 15 years and winning the National League MVP award. Votto has agreed to a $38 million, three-year contract with the reigning NL Central champs.
Votto, 27, was a first-time All-Star in 2010, finishing second in the NL in batting average at .324 and third in homers (37) and RBIs (113). He made $525,000.
• The Texas Rangers said American League MVP Josh Hamilton was discharged Sunday from the Medical Center of Arlington, five days after he was admitted for treatment of pneumonia.
• St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said that Matt Holliday will stay in left field and newly acquired Lance Berkman will play in right. Berkman, 34, has been primarily a first baseman the past four years.
CONCACAF wants spot guaranteed
soccer • CONCACAF will lobby for a guaranteed fourth spot in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The soccer organization's executive committee said Sunday in Panama City that CONCACAF — the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football — has earned the right to increase its allotment of World Cup slots from 3½. A decision is expected at a meeting of the FIFA executive committee in March.
Also, the United States was awarded the Olympic men's qualifying tournament to be held in March 2012.
Barcelona extended its unbeaten streak to a club-record 28 games, defeating Malaga 4-1 to open a four-point lead in the Spanish league over second-place Real Madrid, which was held to a surprising 1-1 tie at last-place Almeria.
From wire reports