NEW YORK - Edgar Renteria is leaving the Cardinals to join the Boston Red Sox, the team that swept St. Louis in the World Series.

Two days after losing Pedro Martinez, the Red Sox lured the All-Star shortstop with a $40 million, four-year contract, a deal that could lead to Orlando Cabrera leaving Boston to sign with the Cardinals.

Martinez, one of the heroes of Boston's first World Series title since 1918, was to be introduced at Shea Stadium today, one day after he passed his physical and the Mets finalized a $53 million, four-year contract with the three-time Cy Young Award winner.

Also Wednesday, first baseman Richie Sexson completed his $50 million, four-year contract with the Seattle Mariners after passing his physical, another of the big-money deals in a revived free-agent market.

At a lower level, left-hander John Halama finalized a $1 million, one-year contract with the Red Sox; shortstop Craig Counsell returned to Arizona for $3.1 million over two seasons; Cincinnati agreed to one-year contracts with right-handers David Weathers ($1.35 million) and Ben Weber ($600,000); and St. Louis settled on $600,000 one-year deals with catcher Einar Diaz and right-hander Al Reyes.

In the day's only trade, Oakland acquired infielder Keith Ginter from Milwaukee for right-hander Justin Lehr and outfielder Nelson Cruz. The Brewers also agreed to an $800,000, one-year contract with third baseman Russell Branyan, who was eligible for salary arbitration.

Also, the Yankees and Diamondbacks spoke about Randy Johnson for the second time in three days, although no new proposals were exchanged. New York and Carl Pavano moved closer to finalizing the right-hander's $39.95 million, four-year contract, a deal that contains a $13 million team option for 2009.

New York and Jaret Wright agreed his $21 million, three-year contract, will have a provision that gives the Yankees the right to void the third season if he has a serious shoulder injury during the first two years that causes him to go on the disabled list for a specified period, which will be set at 60-90 days. If Wright remains healthy, he would gain the ability to void the third year of the contract and become a free agent again.Renteria, who grounded to the pitcher for the final out of the World Series, agreed in principle to his deal with the Red Sox, which includes a team option for 2009, a baseball official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Renteria must pass a physical, expected to be given Friday, for the deal to be finalized.Boston spokesman Glenn Geffner declined comment.Renteria's brother, Edison, told the AP that an agreement on the terms was reached Tuesday night."We will travel to Boston later this week to define the details of the four-year contract," he said in a telephone interview from Barranquilla, Colombia. "Edgar is very happy. The conditions are excellent."The deal was first reported by The Boston Globe, which quoted the shortstop in a story posted on its Web site Wednesday.Sexson's addition should inject power into a Seattle lineup that was among the weakest in the major leagues last season."This is first and foremost where I wanted to be," said Sexson, from Brush Prairie, Wash. "In the back of my mind, and for my family, we knew this is where I wanted to be."Sexson, a career .271 hitter, said he also considered offers from Baltimore and the New York Yankees.He's coming off a frustrating injury-shortened season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He hurt his left shoulder on a check-swing and didn't play after May, batting .233 with nine homers and 23 RBIs."That was the worst experience I've ever gone through as an athlete," Sexson said. "Pride takes over, then guilt. It sure helps to have family around you to say it's not your fault because it sure feels like it is."