Byline: Compiled from Post news services
Johnny Damon had his eye on the Red Sox after becoming a free agent. He sharpened his focus when Boston traded Carl Everett to Texas.
That left a gap in center field that Damon, wishing to be closer to his family in Florida, was eager to fill. So he left the Oakland Athletics and agreed Friday to a $31 million, four-year contract with Boston.
Damon gives the traditionally lead-footed Red Sox a speedy leadoff hitter who has scored more than 100 runs each of the last four seasons.
But the signing of Damon, 28, could cost the Red Sox another newly acquired speedster, former Reds second baseman Pokey Reese, who already has been with three teams this week.
Reese was among six players on the 40-man roster who weren't offered contracts by Thursday's deadline. Reese, traded Tuesday from Cincinnati to Colorado and dealt to Boston the following day, finds himself on the open market.
''Financially, we didn't have the capability to fit him in with our structure when we signed Johnny,'' said Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette.
Duquette said the Red Sox still want to sign Reese, but conceded the infielder probably will talk to other clubs.
Also not offered a contract by Boston was former Reds infielder Chris Stynes.
In 958 games in his seven seasons, Damon has a .286 average with 74 homers, 401 RBI, 612 runs and 183 stolen bases.
SADLER A FREE AGENT - Former Reds utility player Donnie Sadler became a free agent Friday when the Kansas City Royals didn't offer him a contract for next season.
Sadler, who hit .129 in 54 games last season, had been designated for assignment Wednesday to make room on the 40-man roster for former Red Michael Tucker, acquired in a trade with the Chicago Cubs.
Kansas City hopes to sign Sadler to a minor-league deal.
ASTROS SIGN PITCHING PAIR - Free-agent pitcher T.J. Mathews agreed Friday to a $1 million, one-year contract with the Houston Astros, who also signed former Red C.J. Nitkowski to a minor-league deal.
Mathews, 31, has a career record of 32-26 with a 3.84 ERA and 16 saves,
pitching for Oakland and St. Louis. He was a combined 1-1 with a 4.30 ERA and one save in 30 relief appearances last season for the Athletics and Cardinals.
Nitkowski, 28, returns to the Astros after pitching for Detroit and the New York Mets. He has a career record of 16-30 with a 5.37 ERA in 270 games, including 44 starts.
PARK DEAL CLOSE - Chan Ho Park's agent was headed to Texas this weekend to try to finalize a $65 million, five-year contract with the Rangers.
''We're continuing to talk and we've had some breakthroughs as to what we're doing,'' agent Scott Boras said.
Boras and the Rangers have an understanding on the format of the deal, according to a lawyer familiar with the negotiations who spoke on the condition he not be identified. The sides were close to an agreement but had not yet agreed on all the details, the lawyer said.
Boras, who last year negotiated a record $252 million, 10-year deal between the Rangers and shortstop Alex Rodriguez, intended to travel to the Dallas area Friday or this morning.
Despite adding Rodriguez, the Rangers finished last in the American League West at 73-89 and had a 5.71 ERA, the highest in the major leagues.
New general manager John Hart has added pitchers John Rocker, Todd Van Poppel, Jay Powell and former Red Dave Burba since the season ended.
Park went 15-11 with a 3.50 ERA for the Dodgers last season.
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The Associated Press-The Red Sox signed free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon to a four-year, $31 million contract Friday. Damon batted .256 last season for Oakland.
