Also by the AP

NEW YORK -- Japanese star Kazuo Matsui has decided to join the New York Mets, according to media reports in Tokyo.

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The shortstop was expected to announce his decision at a news conference Monday, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported. Public broadcaster NHK also reported that Matsui was headed to the Mets. Neither cited any sources.

Mets general manager Jim Duquette and Matsui's U.S.-based agent, Arn Tellem, declined comment.

A baseball official with knowledge of the Mets negotiations, speaking to the Associated Press on the condition he not be identified, said the team had not been notified of Matsui's decision.

"It's a fact that I'm negotiating with the Mets," Matsui said earlier Sunday. "I'm in the process of selecting a team from the four I'm talking to."

Matsui didn't name the other three teams. New York's offer was for about $20 million over three years.

Nicknamed "Little Matsui," the shortstop is not related to New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui. Matsui is a seven-time All-Star and a three-time Golden Glove winner in Japan, hitting .305 with 33 home runs and 84 RBI last season for the Seibu Lions.

The 28-year-old Matsui is a switch-hitter who led the Pacific League in stolen bases twice and was the league Most Valuable Player in 1998.

Many of Japan's top players have left for the majors in recent years. Ichiro Suzuki was the 2001 American League MVP and Hideo Nomo was the 1995 NL's rookie of the year.

In other news, Duquette said the Mets had declined to offer salary arbitration to right-hander Pedro Astacio, second baseman Jay Bell and first baseman Tony Clark. The three, who filed for free agency, can't re-sign with New York until May 1.




AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service