Barring some unforeseen developments, the Astros will beat out the Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies to sign free-agent second baseman Kazuo Matsui, a person with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed on Thursday night. Without addressing Matsui, Astros' General Manager Ed Wade stuck to his policy of not commenting on specific players until a contract is done. "We don't have a deal done with anyone," said Wade, who declined to talk about specific players. "As has been the case all offseason, when we get a deal done with someone, we'll announce it." Nonetheless, it has been no secret the Astros have coveted Matsui to the point that Wade flew to Los Angeles last week to meet with Matsui's agent Arn Tellem.