CHICAGO - Right-hander Bartolo Colon was close to an agreement with the Angels, the Associated Press reported Monday, on a deal that would give Anaheim one of the top pitchers on the market.
Neither Colon nor the Angels discussed the talks Monday.
Anaheim offered a $48-million, four-year contract, AP reported. Once an agreement is reached, Colon still must pass a physical.
BRAVES IRATE: The Braves are so peeved about free-agent Gary Sheffield's reported undisclosed deal with the Yankees that they might file a grievance with Major League Baseball. Atlanta contacted the commissioner's office about possible draft-pick compensation from the Yankees, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Also, David Wells' agent, Gregg Clifton, said he hopes to complete a contract with the Yankees this week.
NOMAR TALKS: Nomar Garciaparra wants to stay in Boston. He just doesn't know whether the Red Sox will keep him.
His future with the only professional organization he has played for would grow dim if the Red Sox obtain star shortstop Alex Rodriguez from Texas for leftfielder Manny Ramirez, as rumored.
"I'd definitely be hurt," Garciaparra said in an interview with a Boston radio station. "I'm in a place that I've given so much of my life and so much of my effort."
MATSUI TO JOIN METS: Shortstop Kazuo Matsui arrived in New York to take a physical and complete his $20.1-million, three-year contract with Mets. The Mets plan to hold a news conference Wednesday.
MANTLE AUCTION: Mickey Mantle's 1957 MVP award sold for $275,000 in a New York auction of hundreds of items belonging to the family of the late Yankees Hall of Fame centerfielder.
PADRES: San Diego offered free-agent centerfielder Kenny Lofton a contract.
PHILLIES: General manager Ed Wade said the team hopes to keep right-hander Kevin Millwood but isn't ready to offer a multiyear deal. Millwood has until Dec. 19 to accept arbitration.
