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Matsui Finalizes 3-Year Deal With Astros

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The Associated Press

Published: December 3, 2007

HOUSTON - Second baseman Kaz Matsui finalized a $16.5 million, three-year contract with the Houston Astros on Sunday, a little more than a month after helping the Colorado Rockies to their first World Series appearance.

The 32-year-old switch-hitter batted .288 with four homers and 37 RBIs for Colorado, stealing 32 bases and scoring 84 runs - his best totals in the majors. Houston swiped only 65 bases this year, the third-lowest in the NL.

General Manager Ed Wade said Matsui likely will bat second, behind speedy center fielder Michael Bourn, acquired last month from Philadelphia.

Matsui gets a $1.5 million signing bonus, payable upon approval, and yearly salaries of $5 million. Houston will provide a translator and a physical therapist.

RANGERS: Sammy Sosa wasn't offered salary arbitration by Texas, which still may be interested in bringing back the slugger.

Yanks Set Deadline For Santana Deal

NEW YORK - The Yankees likely will pull out of trade talks for Johan Santana if the Minnesota Twins don't make a decision by late today.

"I'm not going to be played against the Red Sox. ... That's not something the Yankees should ever do, and that's, I think, what they're trying to do now," Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said. "So if they want the best offer that has been offered to them, then they need to make up their minds."

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