Hideki Matsui is headed west. The World Series MVP and the Los Angeles Angels have reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract worth about $6.5 million, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because the contract was not yet final. "I can confirm that we are in serious discussions with the Angels," Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem, wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. Tellem declined further comment.

The Mets' chances of landing Jason Bay appeared to improve yesterday when the All-Star left fielder rejected a contract offer from Boston.

Johnny Damon remains a front-burner issue that is cooking slowly for the Yankees .

Did Scott Boras misjudge the market for Matt Holliday? The slugger could wind up with a raw deal, says Tracy Ringolsby.

The Angels overcame a lot of adversity in 2009, including the April death of RHP Nick Adenhart and a rash of injuries throughout the first half of the season. And yet, they won their division for the fifth time in the past six seasons and reached the AL Championship Series for the second time in that span. This could be a winter of significant change, however, with seven players eligible for free agency.

--RHP Jose Arredondo, who reportedly needs Tommy John surgery after getting hurt in the Dominican Winter League, was non-tendered by the Angels. Arredondo, 25, spent time on the disabled list in June and July because of a strained ligament in his elbow. Arredondo, who would have been eligible for arbitration this winter, was in Class AAA at the time. RHP Dustin Moseley, who had hip surgery in August, and INF Matt Brown were also non-tendered by the Angels.

A year ago, the Angels chased one of the big fish in baseball's offseason, free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira. When they came up empty, the chopped up those resources and signed three players instead -- outfielders Juan Rivera and Bobby Abreu and closer Brian Fuentes. That same scenario could play out again with a different set of names.

Any hopes of Jason Bay returning to the Red Sox appear to be history.

Baseball's winter meetings have come and gone, and the Twins still have question marks sprinkled throughout their infield. However, their outfield is set in granite: Delmon Young in left, Denard Span in center and Michael Cuddyer in right. That took shape after the November trade that sent Carlos Gomez to Milwaukee for shortstop J.J. Hardy.

Jose Arredondo has become a free agent after the Los Angeles Angels didn't offer the injured reliever a contract for 2010. The Angels also let loose pitcher Dustin Moseley and infielder Matt Brown. There were reports Saturday that Arredondo needed Tommy John surgery and would miss all of next season. He was on the disabled list this year because of pain in his right elbow. Arredondo was a bright spot in the Angels' bullpen in 2008, going 10-2 with a 1.62 ERA.

After spending 10 years in the A's organization, including parts of six in the majors, reliever Santiago Casilla was released to make room for Rule 5 draftee Bobby Cassevah .

INDIANAPOLIS - The Phillies selected righthander Kenneth David Herndon from the Los Angeles Angels with the 26th selection in yesterday's Rule 5 draft.

Boof Bonser Funds for 2010 are 'substantial'By Kelsie Smith ksmith@pioneerpress.com

As if Milton Bradley's summer at Wrigley Field wasn't loony enough, the crabby outfielder's winter is reaching new levels of absurdity.

INDIANAPOLIS

INDIANAPOLIS - It's looking like the Red Sox' plans for left field aren't going to come out of left field, so to speak.

The three-way blockbuster that will send Curtis Granderson from the Tigers to the Yankees is complete, major league sources said Wednesday.

The three-way blockbuster that will send Curtis Granderson from the Tigers to the Yankees is on the verge of completion, major league sources said early Tuesday afternoon.

INDIANAPOLIS - Theo Epstein expressed some relief yesterday that at least the Red Sox filled their shortstop hole before arriving for these winter meetings.