Kaz Matsui signs on with the Mets

Matsui announced he had agreed to a three-year contract worth about $20 million. The seven-time All-Star was pursued by the Anaheim Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Yankees.

Nicknamed "Little Matsui," the 28-year-old is not related to Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui. He hit .305 with 33 homers and 84 RBIs last season for the Seibu Lions.

No arbitration for Maddux Greg Maddux, who helped the Braves reach the playoffs during his 11 seasons in Atlanta, was not offered arbitration by Sunday night's deadline and can't re-sign until May 1. Atlanta also didn't offer arbitration to Javy Lopez or Gary Sheffield, meaning it won't get draft picks as compensation if Sheffield finalizes his deal with the Yankees. The Philadelphia Phillies offered arbitration to Kevin Millwood, extending the negotiating period with the righthander for another month . . . Minnesota outfielder Shannon Stewart agreed to an $18-million, three-year contract with the Twins, but as the Marlins feared, catcher Pudge Rodriquez and the World Series champions failed to agree on a contract . . . Bartolo Colon was close to an agreement with the Anaheim Angels. While neither Colon nor the Angels discussed the talks yesterday, Anaheim and the Chicago White Sox believed the righthander was on the verge of a deal with Anaheim, said two baseball officials who were familiar with details of Colon's negotiations with the teams. Anaheim offered a $48 million, four-year contract, one of the officials said.

Yankees sign Sierra The Yankees signed 38-year-old outfielder Ruben Sierra, bringing back a four-time All-Star who has more home runs than any other active switch hitter. Late Sunday night, the Yankees offered arbitration to lefthanders Andy Pettitte and David Wells, and Wells's agent said the player hopes to sign a contract with the team later this week . . . Righthander Kerry Ligtenberg and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a $4.5 million, two-year contract. The 32-year-old went 4-2 with one save and 3.34 ERA in 68 games with the Baltimore Orioles last season . . . Mike Schmidt thinks Bud Selig has been delaying a decision on whether to reinstate Pete Rose, but the Hall of Famer predicted the commissioner would act by the end of the month. Schmidt has been pushing Selig for more than a year to reinstate Rose, who agreed in 1989 to a lifetime ban from baseball following an investigation of his gambling.