NEW YORK Hideki Matsui is coming from Japan, Ivan Rodriguez may be going there and Greg Maddux is staying at home in Atlanta.

Matsui, the biggest star in Japanese baseball, agreed Thursday to a $21 million, three-year contract with the New York Yankees.

Rodriguez, unable to get an offer he likes from the Baltimore Orioles or Chicago Cubs, will explore joining a Japanese team for next season, according to his agent.

Maddux, after a tentative 1.5 months on the free-agent market, accepted the Braves offer of salary arbitration, which makes him a signed player for the 2003 season.

Right-hander Terry Adams was the only other free agent to accept arbitration, deciding to return to Philadelphia. Among the other 22 offered arbitration on Dec. 7, 15 remain unsigned and can negotiate with the former teams through Jan. 8, a group that includes Roger Clemens (Yankees), Cliff Floyd (Boston), Chuck Finley (St. Louis) and Mark Grace (Arizona).

Among those finding new teams, right-hander Jason Bere agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract with Cleveland and catcher Bill Haselman agreed to a minor league contract with Detroit.

Pitcher Shawn Estes and the Cubs were close to a deal, too.

Also, several players agreed to deals ahead of Fridays deadline to offer 2003 contracts to unsigned players on 40-man rosters: Cubs reliever Antonio Alfonseca ($4 million), Philadelphia outfielder Ricky Ledee ($850,000), Pittsburgh right-hander Brian Meadows ($600,000), St. Louis outfielder Eduardo Perez ($500,000) and Anaheim infielder Benji Gil.

Matsui, nicknamed Godzilla, was intent on wearing the famous Yankees pinstripes and became the biggest Japanese baseball star yet to join the major leagues.

I was nervous for a while because it hadnt been decided what team I would play for, Matsui said Friday at a news conference in Tokyo. Now, Im relieved and ready to give my best.

A three-time Most Valuable Player of Japans Central League, the 28-year-old power-hitting outfielder seemed set on joining the Yankees since August, when New York sent its assistant general manager to Tokyo to scout him.

He really wants to show hes one of the worlds great players, said Matsuis agent, Arn Tellem. When I first met him, he said he wanted to be on the greatest team here, he wanted to be on the team with the richest history.

The Yomiuri Giants, who drafted Matsui in 1993, were said to have offered a $33 million, four-year deal to keep him.

Matsui had a .304 career average in Japan with 332 homers and 889 RBIs in 1,268 games, and led the Central League last season with 50 homers and 107 RBIs. He had the leagues second-highest average at .334.

The Yankees are very fortunate to come to an understanding with one of the worlds premier players, general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement. This demonstrates our organizations commitment to identify and secure talent on a global scale.

Rodriguez, a 10-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove catcher and former AL MVP, is exploring a move to Japan after failing to get offers he liked from the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles.

I think at this point our focus is slowly but surely turning to Japan, Rodriguezs agent, Jeff Moorad, said Thursday.

Texas did not offer Rodriguez salary arbitration earlier this month, making him ineligible to re-sign with the Rangers until at least May 1. Rodriguez just finished a $50 million, five-year contract with the Rangers and Moorad is believed to be seeking a multiyear deal averaging at least $10 million annually.

Until and unless the market shifts, Pudge is now considering alternatives, Moorad said. At this point, were exploring. There had been some direct interest. Were following up and open minded.

Rodriguez, who turned 31 last month, missed nearly two months early last season because of a herniated disk in his back, but hit .314 with 19 homers and 60 RBIs in 108 games. He played 1,479 games with Texas, hitting .303 with 215 homers and 829 RBIs.

Since he was the AL MVP in 1999, Rodriguez has been hampered by injuries. He also missed the end of the 2000 and 2001 seasons, and has missed 176 games in three seasons after missing just 153 the previous nine years.

Maddux, a four-time Cy Young Award winner, decided not to follow Tom Glavine out of Atlanta. Glavine left the Braves to sign with the New York Mets.

My Christmas wish list included having both Maddux and Glavine, closer John Smoltz said. I guess one out of two isnt bad, although I dont think were done making moves.

Maddux, a 36-year-old right-hander, was 16-6 last season, winning at least 15 games for the 15th straight year to tie the record set by Cy Young. He discussed the situation Wednesday night with his wife and with his agent, Scott Boras.

At this point in time, at least for this year, they wanted to return to Atlanta and give it one more shot of winning there, Boras said of Maddux and his wife.

Unless they agree on a contract, Atlanta and Maddux will exchange proposed salaries for a one-year contract in mid-January and will argue their cases before three arbitrators the following month.

Maddux is coming off a $57.5 million, five-year contract, and he is expected to ask for an arbitration record. The highest figure submitted for a player was $18.5 million by the Yankees Derek Jeter in 2001.

Boston GM Theo Epstein said Floyds decision to reject arbitration ended his time with the Red Sox.

Im disappointed that Cliff wont be back with the Red Sox in 2003, he said. At the same time, Im excited about the flexibility we have now with our payroll and with a draft pick.