Major League Baseball
Notebook: Pettitte agrees with Astros

By Seattle Times news services

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New York wasted little time in trying to land a replacement, closing in on a trade with Los Angeles that would send Kevin Brown to the Yankees for Jeff Weaver in a swap of starters, a baseball official said on the condition of anonymity.

Pettitte accepted Houston's heavily backloaded $31.5 million, three-year deal after weighing a new offer from the Yankees on Wednesday night, another baseball source said, also on the condition of anonymity.

He took $7.5 million less to sign with the Astros — the Yankees' last offer was for $39 million over three years, both sources said. But the Astros play near Pettitte's hometown of Deer Park, an important factor for the pitcher's family.

"They really wanted me here," Pettitte said. "My heart started pulling me and tugging me to come back down here and play in front of the Astros and the Houston fans."

Pettitte will get $5.5 million next season, $8.5 million in 2005 and $17.5 million in 2006, according to contract details obtained by The Associated Press.

Sheffield confident of Yankees deal

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Another free agent the Yankees are dealing with, outfielder Gary Sheffield, is confident he will sign with New York despite differences that have jeopardized the deal.

"We'll get it done," Sheffield said as he watched the Maryland-Florida basketball game from the stands.

The Yankees, however, may be changing their minds. "Put it this way, we're into (Vladimir) Guerrero big time," one official told the New York Daily News.

The Yankees and Sheffield, who became a free agent after playing for Atlanta the past two seasons, agreed with New York owner George Steinbrenner on the parameters of a deal that would be worth $39 million over three seasons.

But the Yankees want about $15 million deferred without interest, which would lower the average annual value to $12 million for purposes of the luxury tax.

Sheffield, 35, wanted interest on the deferred money or an additional $3 million. He asked for a no-trade clause, which the Yankees rejected, and then a limited no-trade clause.

"Any time you're dealing with a contract like this, it's just part of it," Sheffield said. "You've got to get the language right."

Mets welcome Matsui

NEW YORK — Displaying a borrowed 1986 World Series ring and announcing in English, "I love New York," Japanese shortstop Kazuo Matsui officially joined the Mets.

Matsui, 28, finalized his $20.1 million, three-year contract with a team trying to rebuild quickly after consecutive last-place finishes.

"This is an exciting day," said Jim Duquette, the Mets' general manager. "Our plan for next year is to get younger and more athletic and improve our pitching and defense, especially our defense up the middle. The signing of Kaz Matsui fits perfectly with that plan."

When he was introduced, Matsui said in English, "Hello everybody. My name is Kaz Matsui. I love New York."

Jose Reyes, who made his major-league debut last season, will move to second base to make room for Matsui. Reyes will keep uniform No. 7. Matsui, who wore No. 7 in Japan, will switch to No. 25.

Notes

• The Atlanta Braves will play the Minnesota Twins on June 14 in the Hall of Fame game. The matchup between the 1991 pennant winners at Doubleday Field will mark the second straight year the yearly exhibition game is not played the weekend of Hall of Fame inductions, set for July 25.

• The Montreal Expos say they are close to signing an agreement to move 22 games to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for a second straight season. The games would be played over three homestands, all before the All-Star break.

• Manager Ned Yost was given a contract extension through 2005 by the Milwaukee Brewers. Yost's new deal includes a club option for 2006.

• The Chicago White Sox requested waivers on utilityman Brian Daubach.

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company