Yankees, Matsui reach deal

Hideki Matsui and the Yankees agreed Tuesday night to a $52 million, four-year contract that will keep the popular outfielder in New York.

Matsui’s agent, Arn Tellem, and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman met the Nov. 15 deadline contained in Matsui’s first contract with the team. That deal stated that if there was no agreement by then, New York would have to place the outfielder on unconditional release waivers.

Rays introduce new skipper

No one had to sell Joe Maddon on the Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ potential.

A computer whiz who uses technology to analyze statistics and break down other aspects of baseball, Maddon showed up for an interview for the team’s vacant managerial position with a stack of information on the club’s promising young talent.

Maddon was introduced as the fourth manager in Devil Rays history, ending a six-week search for Lou Piniella’s replacement.

Clearing the bases

The Los Angeles Dodgers hired Ned Colletti as their general manager to replace Paul DePodesta. Colletti has been an assistant GM with rival San Francisco since 1997. He beat out Dodgers assistant GM Kim Ng, who was trying to become the first woman hired as a major league GM. … Cincinnati right-hander David Weathers had surgery to repair a small tear in his right knee and is expected to recover in four weeks. … The New York Mets declined their 2006 options on left-handers Felix Heredia and Kazuhisa Ishii.