Highlights of the tentative agreement reached by baseball players and owners, as obtained by the Associated Press from player and management sources:

Length: After ratification, starts with the 2002 season and runs through Dec. 19, 2006. Luxury tax thresholds:Teams will be taxed on the portions of payrolls above the following thresholds: 2002 - No tax; 2003 - $117 million; 2004 - $120.5 million; 2005 - $128 million; 2006 - $136.5 million

Luxury tax rates: First time over threshold: 17.5 percent in 2003, 22.5 percent in 2004 and 2005, no tax in 2006. Second time over threshold: 30 percent. Third and fourth times over threshold: 40 percent.

Revenue sharing: Base plan: Each team contributes 34 percent of its net local revenue, after deductions for ballpark expenses, to a pool that is redistributed equally to all 30 teams. Central fund component: $72.2 million annually, taken from those teams that are net payers in base plan and redistributed to teams that are net receivers in base plan.

Drug testing: All players will be randomly tested for illegal steroids in 2003. If 2.5 percent or fewer test positive in consecutive years, mandatory random testing will cease.

Contraction: Teams may not be eliminated through the 2006 season. The clubs may elect to eliminate two teams for the 2007 season but must notify players by July 1, 2006.

Minimum major-league salary: $300,000 (was $200,000)