Hideki Matsui had lunch with his agent, Arn Tellem, yesterday in Manhattan, giving them a chance to talk face-to-face about what the next few days may bring. The two most likely scenarios - either signing a new contract with the Yanks that makes Matsui the highest-paid Japanese player in the game or becoming a free agent for the first time - would figure to increase a person's heart rate a little, but there was little anxiety in Matsui's words, according to Tellem. "He was calm," Tellem said in a phone interview. "Just like he always is. He's comfortable with the situation and is ready for whatever happens." All expectations are that Tellem will reach a deal with the Yanks by tomorrow's self-imposed deadline. Tellem spoke with GM Brian Cashman yesterday and is likely to meet with him today for some intense negotiating. Cashman didn't return a call and Tellem wouldn't get into specifics about their conversations, but it's believed the sides will ultimately settle on a four-year pact worth approximately $48 million-$50 million that could include a fifth-year option. That would surpass in value Ichiro Suzuki's contract with the Mariners, which reportedly pays him about $11 million a year.