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The Angels landed a centerpiece for their holiday table with the addition of free agent Gary Matthews Jr. on Wednesday.

Matthews agreed to a five-year, $50 million deal that includes a partial no-trade clause, according to an industry source. The deal is pending a physical.

In the process of wrapping up their center fielder for 2007 and beyond, the Angels sidestepped a strong run at Matthews by the Giants and secured a key piece of their offseason agenda. The Dodgers were also in serious talks with Matthews until they signed Juan Pierre.

An Angels spokesman would not confirm or deny that a deal has been finalized, but said the club "has been targeting Matthews over recent weeks."

The 32-year-old Matthews will take over in center field and provide Gold Glove-caliber defense while adding speed and some power to the top of the order. Matthews will likely take over the leadoff spot, where he hit .313 with 19 homers and 79 RBIs last season. He also posted a .371 on-base percentage while leading the Rangers with 102 runs scored.

Matthews represents an offseason victory for the Angels, a team that had seen its wish-list rearranged as third baseman Aramis Ramirez re-signed with the Cubs and infielder/outfielder Alfonso Soriano landed a whopping $136 million deal from the Cubs that easily outdistanced the Angels' offer.

But the signing of Matthews will require less position shuffling than the accommodation of Soriano would have. It will allow Vladimir Guerrero and Garret Anderson to remain in the corner outfield spots while sharing designated hitter duties with Juan Rivera, who will also play the outfield.


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