TOKYO, 9 December 2003 — Japanese baseball star Kazu Matsui said yesterday he has agreed to join the New York Mets for three years in a deal estimated to be worth $23 million.

“The New York Mets have consistently demonstrated their genuine interest in me, and I appreciate that,” the 28-year-old free-agent infielder, known as “Little” Matsui or Kazu Matsui, told a press conference.

He said he was leaving for New York later for a medical examination, to officially sign the deal and for a press conference there.

“I am looking forward to playing with other Mets players and really joining them as a part of the team,” said Matsui, who is unrelated to power hitter Hideki “Godzilla” Matsui, the Japanese outfielder with the New York Yankees.

Mariners Agree to Terms With Hasegawa on Two-Year Deal

Seattle Mariners manager Bob Melvin can breathe easier after reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa agreed to a two-year contract on Sunday. Financial terms were not disclosed for one of last season’s premier relievers.

Hasegawa was 2-4 with 16 saves and a 1.48 ERA in 63 appearances.

When Japanese countryman Kazuhiro Sasaki was injured, the 35-year-old right-hander filled the closer’s role and converted all but one of 17 save opportunities. Hasegawa was scored upon in just 11 appearances and his ERA set a team record for relief pitchers.

Marlins Sign Infielder Luis Castillo

The Florida Marlins continued to lock up members of their World Series championship team on Sunday, re-signing All-Star second baseman Luis Castillo and setup man Chad Fox. Castillo inked a three-year contract with an option for 2007 while Fox signed a one-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported last week that Castillo’s pact is worth $16 million.

A 28-year-old switch-hitter, Castillo batted .314 with 99 runs scored and 21 stolen bases last season and earned his first Gold Glove. The native of the Dominican Republic signed with the Marlins as a 16-year-old in 1992 and made his major league debut four years later.

San Francisco Giants Re-Sign Infielder Snow

The San Francisco Giants re-signed slick-fielding first baseman J.T. Snow on Sunday and signed free agent outfielder Michael Tucker. Snow signed a one-year contract with a club option for 2005 while Tucker inked a two-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Snow, 35, will return for his eighth season with the Giants. The six-time Gold Glove Award winner hit .273 last year with eight home runs and 51 RBI in 100 games.

“After watching J.T. on a day-to-day basis over the last seven years, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better defensive first baseman in the game,” Giants general manager Brian Sabean said.

Cubs Agree to Terms With Grudzielanek

Chicago Cubs on Sunday agreed to one-year contracts with infielder Mark Grudzielanek and outfielder Tom Goodwin.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Grudzielanek led the Major League Baseball team in batting in his first season with the Cubs, hitting .314 with three home runs and 38 RBI in 121 games.

Acquired from Los Angeles in December 2002, the 33-year-old committed just eight errors at second base and collected a team-best 38 doubles, despite missing a month with a broken bone in his right hand. Goodwin, 35, batted .287 in his first season in Chicago and topped the Cubs with 19 stolen bases.

Cardinals Agree to Terms With Pitchers Kline, Eldred

The St. Louis Cardinals held on to two key members of their bullpen Sunday, agreeing to terms with lefthander Steve Kline and right-hander Cal Eldred on one-year contracts. Financial terms were not disclosed.