LAS VEGAS — Desperate for a closer, the New York Mets landed the top one available: Francisco Rodriguez.

Now, they have to figure out how to hand him the lead.

Coming off a record-setting season, Rodriguez reached a preliminary agreement yesterday with the Mets on a $37 million, three-year contract.

The sides still have to work out a written agreement and the pitcher must pass a physical, two people familiar with the negotiations said. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been completed yet.

The agreement was reached yesterday evening, but the contract probably won't be finalized until next week at the earliest.

"Tired today," general manager Omar Minaya said, though he wouldn't confirm a deal for K-Rod. "We have a lot of stuff going on."

Rodriguez saved 62 games for the Los Angeles Angels this year, five more than the previous big league mark set by Bobby Thigpen of the Chicago White Sox in 1990, and then filed for free agency. Rodriguez's agent, Paul Kinzer, had hoped to get a five-year contract, possibly equaling the $15 million average salary Mariano Rivera is earning from the New York Yankees.

But with baseball executives worried about the national recession, Kinzer accepted a more modest deal. The Mets were a natural fit because they were one of the few big-market teams looking for an elite closer this offseason.

All-Star Billy Wagner is expected to miss all of next season following elbow ligament replacement surgery.

"The way that we lost so many close games late, I think that was critical for us to — theoretically — address this thing here. We have addressed it very well," manager Jerry Manuel said, laughing. "I mean, they say the word on the street is good. It's good. That's just the word on the street. We've got to get it written down."

With the agreement, the Mets are ceasing negotiations with Brian Fuentes and career saves leader Trevor Hoffman, two other free-agent closers, one of the people said. Rodriguez's contract will contain an option for 2012 that could become guaranteed based on his performance, the person said.

"He's a competitor. That's why he's one of the guys that we've been looking at," Minaya said.

Rodriguez, a three-time All-Star who turns 27 next month, was regarded as the premier closer on the market. While some teams were worried about his violent pitching motion and drop in velocity last season, he developed an outstanding changeup to go along with his other pitches.

"A very confident young man. He's an exciting guy to talk about," Manuel said.