Mets set to land Matthews from Angels  —  The Mets have a deal to acquire Gary Matthews Jr. from the Los Angeles Angels according to an American League source.  Matthews has two years and $23 million remaining on his contract and the Angels will be paying the vast portion of that money.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH JASON BAY AND THE RED SOX  —  It was supposed to be the payoff for years of hard work and production.  Instead, Jason Bay's foray into free agency was nine months of chaos that still leaves the outfielder shaking his head.  —  The end of the story had Jason Bay standing …

Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen feels betrayed by Mark McGwire admission  —  Ozzie Guillen said he feels betrayed by Mark McGwire's admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs, and the Chicago White Sox manager isn't buying the slugger's contention that they didn't help him hit home runs at a record pace.

Royals Reach Agreement With Rick Ankiel  —  The Royals reached an agreement with outfielder Rick Ankiel on a one-year, $3.25MM deal, tweets Yahoo's Tim Brown.  The contract has a second-year mutual option worth $6MM and, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, Ankiel can earn up to $500K in incentives this year.

New York Mets might make pitch to ex-Yankee pitcher Chien-Ming Wang  —  The Mets are scouring the pitching market and have been in touch with Ben Sheets since they watched him at his throwing session in Louisiana on Tuesday.  Another possible starting option is Chien-Ming Wang …

Nats interested in free agent Jacobs  —  Slugging first baseman struggled with Royals last season  —  Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Wednesday on the MLB Network that he has interest in free-agent first baseman Mike Jacobs.  —  How Jacobs would fit in with the Nationals is a mystery.

Former manager, player Bragan dies  —  Led Braves to three winning seasons; was fixture in Fort Worth  —  Bobby Bragan, a former Major League manager and player who was called “Mr. Baseball” for his years of dedication to the game, died Thursday at his home in Fort Worth, Tex. He was 92.

If Delgado a no-go, Mets may tab Tatis  —  The Mets' hunt for another first-base option includes a longtime favorite of general manager Omar Minaya.  —  According to an industry source, if Carlos Delgado is not re-signed, Fernando Tatis is a strong candidate to rejoin the Mets next season.

Prince Releases ‘Purple and Gold’ Vikings Song  —  ‘Purple and Gold’ was written for Sunday's game  —  Prince released a new song about the Minnesota Vikings.  —  Prince said he hadn't seen the Vikings play in a very long time, until he went to the game against the Dallas Cowboys last week.

It's Official: The Phillies sign Shane Victorino for 3 years, $22 million  —  UPDATE: The deal has now been announced by the team.  —  Thursday, 8:02 P.M.: A source is telling me that the Phillies and Shane Victorino have reached a deal on a three-year, $22 million contract.

Griffin: McGwire not a true cheat: Lee … Spaceman Bill Lee had too much to say for just one column.  Mark McGwire's recent admission to steroid use during his record-breaking season still resonates, even though there's not a knowledgeable person living who will tell you they didn't already believe …

Los Angeles Dodgers re-sign Vicente Padilla  —  The Dodgers finally completed their search for a fourth starter, re-signing Vicente Padilla to a one-year, $5.025 million contract after the veteran right-hander became a key member of their starting rotation down the stretch last season.

Sean Salisbury aims to move on after admission  —  Other than its decidedly 21st-century angles, Sean Salisbury's story is timeless: Show spur-of-the-moment stupidity, deny it in hopes it will be forgotten — then find it follows you around instead.  —  “I was ashamed, and I didn't want to say anything …