The Associated Press

NEW YORK - The Anaheim Angels closed in on Bartolo Colon, Nomar Garciaparra expressed dismay at Boston's talks to acquire Alex Rodriguez, and Kazuo Matsui arrived in New York on Monday to complete his deal with the Mets.

There were two free-agent signings the day after baseball's first big offseason deadline passed - right-hander Kerry Ligtenberg agreed to a $4.5 million, two-year contract with Toronto and outfielder Eduardo Perez received a $1.7 million, two-year deal with Tampa Bay.

Twenty-five free agents were offered salary arbitration before Sunday's midnight deadline. They have until Dec. 19 to accept and can re-sign with their former teams through Jan. 8. The 139 free agents not offered arbitration can't re-sign until May 1.

Among those cut off by the deadline were Greg Maddux and Atlanta, Ivan Rodriguez and Florida, and Vladimir Guerrero and Montreal.

"I would have loved to have seen him say, 'I want to stay with the Braves no matter what,' " Braves general manager John Schuerholz said of Maddux "... But our economics and his economics weren't anywhere near each other."

Colon was close to a big money-deal Monday. While neither he nor the Angels discussed it, officials of both Anaheim and the Chicago White Sox believe the right-hander was on the verge of a deal with the Angels, two baseball officials who were familiar with details of Colon's negotiations said.

Anaheim offered a $48 million, four-year contract, one of the officials said. Once a preliminary agreement is reached, the right-hander, who was 15-13 with a 3.87 ERA last season, must pass a physical.

The Angels could be dealing again if the Alex Rodriguez-Manny Ramirez trade goes through. Garciaparra would be out of a job, and it's believed the Red Sox would trade him to the Angels for a pitcher, possibly Jarrod Washburn, or second baseman Adam Kennedy.

"I'd definitely be hurt," Garciaparra said Monday in an interview with Boston's WEEI radio. "I'm in a place that I've given so much of my life and so much of my effort."

In New York, the Mets welcomed Matsui after the shortstop accepted their $20.1 million, three-year offer and traveled from Japan.

New York hasn't formally acknowledged the signing, but Matsui will have a physical today and a news conference Wednesday.

In addition to his salary, Matsui's contract includes a full no-trade clause and gives him the right to become a free agent after the 2006 season, a baseball source said on the condition of anonymity.

Sixteen players who faced the deadline agreed to re-sign, including Minnesota outfielder Shannon Stewart, who got an $18 million, three-year contract from the Twins.

Philadelphia offered arbitration to Kevin Millwood, and Oakland offered it to shortstop Miguel Tejada, the 2002 American League MVP.

San Diego offered a contract to Kenny Lofton, who did not receive arbitration from the Cubs, but the Padres declined to divulge details.

Atlanta also didn't offer arbitration to Javy Lopez, the Chicago Cubs didn't extend it to Kenny Lofton and Anaheim didn't give it to Scott Spiezio.