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MINNEAPOLIS -- Matt Cassel was one day away from hitting the free agent market and fielding offers from other suitors. Then the Minnesota Vikings swooped in at the last minute. The Vikings agreed to terms with Cassel on Friday on a deal that will keep him in Minnesota, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person requested anonymity because an official announcement had not been made. Terms of the deal, which was first reported by NFL Network, were not immediately available. The move helps solidify the Vikings shaky quarterback situation. The team used a musical chairs approach to the position last season, rotating Christian Ponder and Cassel, and even starting Josh Freeman for one game during a miserable 5-10-1 season. Cassel was by far the most effective of the three, going 3-3 in his six starts and being on the field at the end of all five of the teams victories. He completed 60.2 per cent of his passes for 1,807 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions after signing as a free agent from the Kansas City Chiefs. But he opted out of the final year of his two-year deal in February, and there was concern Cassel would choose to move to another team after he was forced to split time with the ineffective Ponder. New head coach Mike Zimmer said Thursday he "would love to have Matt Cassel back if Matt Cassel wants to be back." But the coach was also bracing for the likelihood Cassel would at least test free agency before giving the Vikings an answer. "Hes got a bunch of pretty girls looking at him right now," Zimmer said then. "And he wants to explore and see whats best for him. I dont blame any of these guys. In free agency, I think thats why they have the rules is that they get a chance to go see what their markets worth. Then if they find a better situation than what they think is here, then I think thats everywhere." It appears Cassel knew where he wanted to be all along. Cassels familiarity with the teams offensive players -- Adrian Peterson, Greg Jennings, Cordarrelle Patterson and Kyle Rudolph among them -- and the way the team responded to Cassels leadership on the field were among the big reasons the Vikings wanted him back. The agreement would appear to make Cassel the front-runner to be the starter when the 2014 season opens with new offensive co-ordinator Norv Turner calling the plays. Ponder is still on the roster, but his performance over his first three seasons has inspired little confidence among his teammates. The Vikings have the eighth overall pick in the upcoming draft, and there remains a strong possibility they will select someone to be the teams quarterback of the future. But keeping Cassel in the fold will reduce the pressure on the team to start a rookie. "It all depends, but what I want to do is play the best guy," Zimmer said. 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Nicolas Batum had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Wesley Matthews scored 18 points, and the Trail Blazers overcame poor-shooting nights by two of their best players in a 94-90 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday. Gary Clark Rockets Jersey . He looked very comfortable Wednesday night. Konerko had a big three-run double and Gordon Beckham homered for the second straight game, leading the Chicago White Sox to an 8-3 victory over the sliding Chicago Cubs. OAKLAND, Calif. -- A day after a 14-run defeat, the Texas Rangers rallied from an early deficit against the defending division champions. Manager Ron Washington expects to know plenty about his club following this early test facing Oakland. Donnie Murphy lined a go-ahead single up the middle with one out in the eighth inning, and the Rangers came from behind to beat the Athletics 4-3 on Monday night. "Theyre the division champs, it goes through them," Washington said. Sean Doolittle (0-1) allowed a leadoff double to Kevin Kouzmanoff and Mitch Moreland sacrificed him to third before Murphys hit. Murphy and Kouzmanoff are both former As players. Neal Cotts (1-1) pitched one inning for the win, then gave way to Alexi Ogando before Joakim Soria finished for his fourth save. Brandon Moss homered and Coco Crisp hit a two-run single as the As went ahead 3-1 in the second, but they couldnt hold the lead. Oakland swept a weekend series against Houston and lost for only the second time in nine games and third time in 14. "I dont think too many times youll see Doolittle give it up," Washington said. "Hes only human." Kouzmanoff also singled in a run for the Rangers, who had their season-best five-game winning streak snapped in Sundays 16-2 home loss to the White Sox. Yu Darvish needed 29 pitches to get through the second inning, when he allowed Moss leadoff homer and the single by Crisp. Darvish allowed three runs on eight hits in six innings, struck out six and walked four on 116 pitches. "Im kind of surprised I was able to pitch through the sixth inning," he said. "After the third, I told Wash that no matter the pitch count I was going to pitch through six innings." The right-hander hasnt beaten Oakland since May 16, 2012, and is still looking for his first victory at the Coliseum -- one of three ballparks where he has multiple losses. Darvish is 0-6 in his last seven starts against the As. He saw the end of his streak of eight straight outings allowing two or fewer runs, dating to last season. Shin-Soo Choo led ooff the game with a home run.dddddddddddd. He later left the game in the seventh after landing awkwardly on his left ankle extending his leg to beat out what was ruled an infield single. X-rays were negative, but Choo was expected to have an MRI exam Tuesday to determine the severity of his sprain. "We have a long season, its April," Choo said. "I dont want to make it worse." As manager Bob Melvin challenged the call that Choo was safe, and it was then overturned in 3 minutes, 45 seconds, on review. "I heard that he was out. Based on the replay I was seeing I wasnt sure about it but they said that there was one replay that showed that he was out," Melvin said. "That was one I challenge either way." Oakland starter Dan Straily struck out six in five innings, but left with a no-decision after the Rangers tied the game at 3 on Prince Fielders RBI single in the top of the fifth. Crisp landed hard on his ribcage trying to make a diving catch in the sixth, but stayed in centre field after a trainer and Melvin hustled out to check on him. Crisp singled for his third hit in the bottom half, then made a leaping catch in the seventh. As left fielder Yoenis Cespedes was held out of the starting lineup with a sore heel, though he reported feeling better. Cespedes flied out to the warning track in centre as a pinch-hitter in the seventh then stayed in the game as left fielder. NOTES: Crisp stole his 146th base for with the As, tying him with Carney Lansford for fourth place in Oakland history. ... Rangers LHP Matt Harrison threw a bullpen and is scheduled for another Tuesday before being re-evaluated. He is recovering from back surgery -- and the hope is he could make his season debut and first start in more than a year this weekend at Seattle. ... Former As prospect Michael Choice, traded during the off-season, entered on defence for Choo in the seventh and singled and stole a base in the ninth. ... Oakland claimed INF Andy Parrino off waivers from Texas and optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento. ... Texas improved to 6-2 against the AL West. ' ' '