Yankees baseball blog

Yanks seel an upgrade over Unit

As the Yankees work toward unloading Randy Johnson, they are trying to reload their farm system, which may one day put them in position to land a younger version of the Big Unit. Though a trade of Johnson to the Diamondbacks is beginning to feel inevitable, no official deal is done yet. Yesterday, a source with knowledge of the talks said nothing had been completed.

Meanwhile, Johnson's agent Alan Nero declined to answer if he had begun negotiations with the Diamondbacks on an extension of Johnson's contract. In discussions with the Diamondbacks and Padres, the Yankees have sought prospects to set themselves up for the future. Arizona right-handed pitchers Micah Owings, Dustin Nippert and Ross Ohlendorf, have been most prominently mentioned. Continue

Unit-To D'Backs down to the money

THE Yankees and Diamondbacks have inched closer to a Randy Johnson trade, and there is now such momentum, executives from both organizations strongly believe a deal will ultimately be completed despite what one termed "a lot of issues to resolve." They key item is just how much of the $16 million Johnson is owed for 2007 the Yanks are willing to eat and/or how much Johnson is willing to redirect toward a 2008 extension.

The Yanks have yet to permit the D'backs to speak directly with Johnson's representatives. But Yankee officials have done some of the groundwork to assist Arizona and help facilitate a trade. The D'backs have made it clear the less they pay, the more they would surrender in talent. Continue

Yanks, D-Backs close to Unit deal

The Diamondbacks have been the most aggressive suitors for Randy Johnson and sources close to the negotiations said yesterday that the Yankees and Arizona could complete a trade to send Johnson back to the desert before next week. The Diamondbacks, who view Johnson as a gate attraction, want to talk to the Big Unit about a contract extension, a source said. That would give Arizona a chance to reap the attendance and buzz benefits of Johnson going for his 300th victory - he will enter next season with 280 wins.

The Yankees, meanwhile, have their eyes on a package of Arizona pitching prospects. The Diamondbacks are loaded with young talent and if the Yankees send Johnson home to Arizona - Johnson's home is in the Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley - they'd like to get at least two of the following three pitchers: Dustin Nippert, Micah Owings and Ross Ohlendorf. Continue

Murcer has brain surgery

Bobby Murcer was described by his wife as awake, talkative and watching the Oklahoma State-Alabama Independence Bowl, after undergoing five hours of surgery yesterday to remove a brain tumor. It is not known if the tumor, removed at Houston's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, is malignant.

Murcer, 60 and a Yankees broadcaster for 20 years following a 17-year big league career spent mostly with the Yankees, had been feeling ill when an MRI exam, taken the day before Christmas, revealed the tumor. Murcer and his wife, high school sweetheart Kay, live in Oklahoma City, where both were born and raised. The Murcers for years have been active in cancer care and research fund-raisers, Bobby having lost his older brother, Dewayne, an Oklahoma City fireman, to cancer in 1989 at the age of 47. (NY Post)

Frisco could be Zito front runner

The Giants, despite reports, have no interest in Randy Johnson. However, they are very, very interested in a left-hander who could impact a New York team's plans.

The Yankees did contact San Francisco about Johnson. The conversation lasted long enough for San Francisco to explain it had no interest in a 43-year-old due $16 million coming off back surgery. Besides, San Francisco currently is allocating its money elsewhere, signaling to Scott Boras a willingness to exceed the magical $100 million barrier for Barry Zito, an official involved in Zito negotiations said. Continue

Separate ways

This is not about Barry Zito. This is not about Roger Clemens. The Yankees are robustly pursuing trade possibilities for Randy Johnson to continue heeding GM Brian Cashman's mission statement: Get less expensive, get younger, get more roster flexibility and get a deeper prospect base. That is it. If the Yanks can lop Johnson's $16 million 2007 salary while adding a few targeted prospects, they will trade the 43-year-old independent of any other move.

A host of West Coast teams have spoken to the Yankees, with Arizona the probable front-runner followed by San Diego. Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall confirmed to MLB.com that Arizona and the Yanks have had "significant talks." Yankee officials yesterday refused to publicly discuss Johnson. However, several other officials involved directly or peripherally in discussions, provided insight into the Yankees' thinking. Continue

Make room for Zito

While the Yankees continued engaging multiple teams in trade talks about Randy Johnson yesterday, they also came up with a possible option to replace him in their starting rotation: Barry Zito. According to a baseball official familiar with the Yankees' thinking, if the Yanks are able to complete a trade involving Johnson - they have talked to the Diamondbacks and Padres, among others - they will investigate what it would take to sign Zito, the best starter left on the free-agent market.

If the Yankees' interest in Zito becomes serious, it would put them in direct competition with the Mets, who have been interested in the 28-year-old lefty all along. The Mariners, Rangers and Giants are also believed to be pursuing Zito. Continue

Unit's agent: He's on block

Randy Johnson could be leaving the Yankees after just two seasons. The Yankees have started trade talks with several teams, including the Diamondbacks, although it is too early to tell whether the discussions will lead to a deal.

Talks were confirmed yesterday by a baseball official who had knowledge of them and spoke on condition of anonymity because they are in the preliminary stage. The Yankees' discussions with the Diamondbacks, Johnson's former club, were first reported by The Post last week. Alan Nero, one of Johnson's agents, said yesterday he was informed of trade talks by Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. Continue

D-Backs, Yanks talking Unit trade

In the past week the Arizona Diamondbacks have offered a package of players to the New York Yankees in exchange for Randy Johnson, a baseball official said. In need of starting pitching -- and a marquee name that will draw more fans -- the Diamondbacks have offered a package of at least three players, including a major-leaguer. They would also want a 72-hour window to negotiate an extension with Johnson, who is owed $16 million in the final year of his contract. The Yankees, according to the official, don't want to pick up any of Johnson's salary.

Johnson, 43, spent six seasons with Arizona and won four Cy Young Awards before being traded to New York in January 2005. At the time, Arizona was looking to shed payroll and bring in more youth. Johnson had a full no-trade clause back then, as he does now. And it's believed that if the Yankees were to move him, Johnson would prefer to be closer to his Arizona home. According to Johnson's agent, Alan Nero, the left-hander has not requested a trade. "Randy would listen if the Yankees brought something to him," Nero said. "But that has not happened. I don't know what they're doing. It's still speculation as far as we're concerned." Continue

Quite a luxury: $26M tax bill

To borrow from a popular credit-card commercial, the Yankees' 97 victories (and one more in the postseason) were anything but priceless. They cost $201.5 million for the players and another $26 million for baseball's luxury tax. The luxury tax bill arrived Friday, as first reported by The Associated Press, marking the fourth straight season the Yankees have to pay a penalty for exceeding the designated payroll threshold.

The $201.5 million was $65 million over the 2006 threshold of $136.5 million. The Yankees, as repeat offenders, must pay a 40 percent tax on the excess. It is due to the commissioner's office by Jan. 31. Boston was the only other team over the tax threshold and will pay $497,549. From 2003 to 2006, the AP said, baseball charged the Yankees a total of $97.75 million for the luxury tax. In the new collective-bargaining agreement, the threshold will continue to increase, a development that greatly pleases the Yankees. Continue

Juan more Yank

The Yankees announced yesterday they signed a first baseman. Unfortunately for their 2007 pennant chances, it wasn't Shea Hillenbrand or Doug Mientkiewicz. Instead, Cuban refugee Juan Miranda's four-year, $2 million contract was finalized.

And while the Yankees like Miranda's power, the 23-year-old will open the season at Tampa (Single-A) and attempt to fight his way through the system. Miranda, who hasn't played organized games since fleeing Cuba in 2004, impressed Yankee scouts with his left-handed bat. "Our guys liked his juice, his power," GM Brian Cashman said of Miranda, who is on the 40-man roster and will be in big-league camp. Continue

Pettitte: Clemens likely to pitch again

Andy Pettitte believes his pal, Roger Clemens, will be back in baseball by February. But despite their tight relationship, Pettitte says he has no idea where Clemens will sign. "I'm going to imagine he's going to play," Pettitte said yesterday during a conference call. "Why wouldn't he play? Who with, I have no idea. That's going to be a major decision he's going to have to make in his life."

Pettitte is considered something of a recruiting magnet for Clemens, who was 7-6 last season in 19 starts with a still-impressive 2.30 ERA for the Astros. The two Texans have played on the same team every year since Clemens joined the Yankees in 1999. They both jumped to the Astros after the 2003 season. They often have worked out together, and were linked in one news report to a regimen that included performance-enhancing drugs. That report was denied by the players. It was based on a search-warrant affidavit signed by an IRS special agent, in which former Yankees reliever Jason Grimsley allegedly identified other players he believed had used drugs. But there has been no verification of the pitchers' names, by Grimsley or others. Continue

Yanks still top gun in payroll war

Baseball salaries were booming even before the free-agent escalation that began more than a month ago. The average salary shot up 9 percent this year to $2,699,292, according to final figures released yesterday by the Major League Baseball Players Association. The increase was the highest since a 12.8 percent rise in 2001 and makes it likely the $3 million mark will be broken next year or in 2008.

"The increase in the average salary is a reflection of the growth in overall industry revenues, and that while the sport still has significant economic challenges, the increased average is a reflection of the level of the talent on the field," said Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer.

Baseball salaries are soaring, with Alfonso Soriano ($136 million), Vernon Wells ($126 million) and Carlos Lee ($100 million) agreeing to nine-figure deals since the end of the season, boosting baseball's total of $100 million contracts to 11. Still, no one has approached Alex Rodriguez's record $252 million, 10-year contract, agreed to after the 2000 season. The Yankees had the highest average salary for the eighth consecutive season, but their average dropped to $6.95 million from a record $7.39 million the previous year. Continue

Yanks mull Loretta at 1st

Call it a slowdown heading into the holidays, but a few potential hot-stove moves for the Yankees have cooled. In addition to stagnating trade talks involving Melky Cabrera, Doug Mientkiewicz's agent recently told the Yanks he has received a two-year offer from an unnamed team. The Yankees have no plans to match that for any of the part-time first basemen they are considering, according to a person familiar with their thinking, an approach they also took with free agent Shea Hillenbrand earlier this winter.

One baseball official with knowledge of the situation acknowledged the Yanks also have discussed "in passing" the possibility of pursuing former Red Sox second baseman Mark Loretta to fill their void at first base. Holdover Andy Phillips and Rule V pickup Josh Phelps are the only names listed on the depth chart at that position, with Jason Giambi slated to assume full-time DH duties next season. Continue

A-Rod needs a hug!

According to Darryl Strawberry, in order for the Yankees to win a World Series, Derek Jeter needs to make Alex Rodriguez feel more comfortable in pinstripes. "The Yankees' biggest problem is, they don't support each other," Strawberry said yesterday of Jeter and A-Rod. "Back when we played, we all cared for each other.

But these days everybody goes their separate ways. There is not a lot of chemistry there. "A-Rod is a big part of the team and a great player. They need to embrace him and make him feel part of it. It's sad that they haven't done that. He is a great player and going to the Hall of Fame." Continue

Melky deal still being considered

The Yankees continue to debate internally whether they should trade outfielder Melky Cabrera for Pittsburgh closer Mike Gonzalez. Yesterday, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman met with Joe Torre and the club's coaches.

Cabrera, 22, is the Yankees' best trading chip, and the club is intrigued by the idea of acquiring Gonzalez, 28, to set up Mariano Rivera. There have been three-way trade discussions with Atlanta, in which first baseman Adam LaRoche would go to Pittsburgh and Cabrera to the Braves, and straight-up talks with the Pirates, in which Cabrera and a pitching prospect would go to Pittsburgh. Continue

Yanks ink Igawa deal

On the day Japanese left-hander Kei Igawa agreed to a four-year contract with the Yankees, and 24 hours before Andy Pettitte was slated for a team physical, GM Brian Cashman chaired a lengthy meeting at the Stadium yesterday that was attended by all parts of the Yankees' no-longer-dysfunctional family.

Manager Joe Torre and his coaching staff were on hand, as were minor-league head Mark Newman and organizational pitching guru Nardi Contreras. They entered the Stadium at 10 a.m. and left after 4 p.m. Most of the personnel issues have been dealt with, but there are several topics still dangling. The Yankees need a first baseman so Jason Giambi can DH. They also need a backup catcher. Continue

Andy, Igawa due under tree

A busy week for the Yankees medical staff could lead to multiple announcements by GM Brian Cashman about his pitching staff. Andy Pettitte, fresh off a week of hunting, is expected to arrive in New York tomorrow or Wednesday for a physical that would complete the contract he agreed to 10 days ago, according to his agent. "I don't think he is flying before (today), so (the physical) would be after that," Randy Hendricks said in an e-mail yesterday.

The Yanks are planning to officially announce Pettitte's return following three years in Houston in a Yankee Stadium press conference later this week, most likely Thursday. The lefty will earn $16 million next season, with a $16 million player option for 2008. Continue

Johnson, Yanks deny trade talk

Despite the buzz leaking out of the desert, Randy Johnson hasn't asked the Yankees to deal him closer to his Arizona home. "He hasn't called me officially and asked me to trade him, no," GM Brian Cashman said yesterday when asked if the Big Unit requested the Yankees move him. Cashman, asked if he was attempting to move Johnson, who has a blanket no-trade clause and is 20 wins shy of 300, wouldn't comment. Alan Nero, one of Johnson's agents, said there was no truth to the rumor. "There is nothing coming out of our camp," Nero said. "I don't know where rumors start."

Johnson, who is working his way into shape after October back surgery, is one of six starting candidates for five spots in the Yankees' rotation - and that's before Roger Clemens possibly comes along. Johnson will be the first to admit his two years in The Bronx haven't been vintage, but the 43-year-old lefty has won 34 games (17 each season). He went 17-11 with a 5.00 ERA last year while pitching with a bad back. Continue

Melky headed to Braves?

In an effort to upgrade their bullpen, the Yankees have discussed a three-way trade with Pittsburgh and Atlanta, the basics of which would send Melky Cabrera to the Braves, bring Pirates closer Mike Gonzalez to the Bronx and give Atlanta first baseman Adam LaRoche to the Pirates.

A person familiar with the situation confirmed the talks. However, Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield is in a position of strength; he doesn't have to trade the lefthanded Gonzalez, who converted 24 of 24 save opportunities in 2006. Gonzalez, 28, is eligible for arbitration, but the Pirates can afford to keep him. A slew of other clubs, including the Red Sox, have interest in Gonzalez; Boston probably would deploy him as a closer.

But Pittsburgh wants a power hitter and likes LaRoche, who hit 32 homers last season. Atlanta would likely want more than just Cabrera for LaRoche. As much as the Yankees enjoyed and appreciated Cabrera's development in 2006, they don't view him as untouchable because they have three All-Star-caliber starting outfielders in Bobby Abreu, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui. If they could get Gonzalez as the primary setup man for Mariano Rivera, the Yankees could shop Kyle Farnsworth, who experienced an uneven first season in pinstripes and has two years remaining on his contract. Continue

Damon: Yanks are on money

The Red Sox are throwing around a lot more money than they did last winter, when their offer to retain Johnny Damon was blown away by that of the rival Yankees. But Damon doesn't begrudge the Boston front office, which has spent more than $200 million in recent weeks to sign Daisuke Matsuzaka, J.D. Drew and Julio Lugo.

"That's water under the bridge," Damon said yesterday on a conference call set up by the Yankees. "I got a great offer and a great contract from the Yankees and I'm happy. You can always look back and say what could've been, but I think I'm in a pretty good situation. Maybe (Boston) learned a lot from what happened last year. They finished in third place, so they definitely needed to go out and make a statement. ... It looks like it will be another great year in the American League East." Continue

Yanks may give Doug deal

Before the Yankees make Doug Mientkiewicz a contract offer they want to see the medical report from Dr. Robert Watkins who operated on the first baseman's back. The Yankees, who have experienced back troubles with pitchers Kevin Brown and Randy Johnson lately, want to make sure Mientkiewicz's postseason operation to repair a loose body that was pressing on a nerve is completely healed.

If the Yankees' medical staff likes what it sees and hears from Watkins, the Yankees could offer Mientkiewicz a one-year deal to play first and bat in the lower third of the lineup. He earned $1.85 million last year with the Royals when he hit .283 in 91 games. After deciding Jason Giambi is better suited for DH than first base and unable to land a right-handed hitter like Shea Hillenbrand, the Yanks have turned toward Mientkiewicz. Continue

Bombers mull pitch for Pineiro

The Yankees already have Andy Pettitte in the fold, they likely have Kei Igawa on the way and they still have Roger Clemens in their sights whenever he decides about next year. But a person familiar with the Yankees' thinking said the team also has renewed interest in righthanded pitcher Joel Pineiro, who hit the free-agent market yesterday following a subpar season with Seattle. He was one of several players granted free agency because he was not tendered a contract by his 2006 club by Tuesday's midnight deadline.

Pineiro, 28, earned $6.8 million last season when he went 8-13 with a career-worst 6.36 ERA over 40 appearances - including 25 starts before he was shifted to the bullpen in August. The Yanks also had expressed interest in Pineiro before the July 31 trade deadline before acquiring Cory Lidle in the Bobby Abreu trade. Continue

Boras, Cashman keep Bernie in limbo

While Brian Cashman plans on calling Scott Boras about Bernie Williams, the Yankees GM refused to comment when asked if the Yankees want the icon back for another season. "I need to get back to them," Cashman said of Boras, who has been tethered to the Daisuke Matsuzaka negotiations with the Red Sox, and Williams, who wants to play another season for the Yankees.

While securing a fifth outfielder takes a backseat to Cashman finding a first baseman, Williams' stature within in the organization (16 years) makes his case more involved than, let's say, bringing Miguel Cairo back as the utility infielder. Continue

Andy can reclaim NO. 46 as Guiel is 86'D by Yanks

Andy Pettitte won't have to bribe Aaron Guiel with money, jewelry or anything else to get back his No. 46 from the left-handed-hitting outfielder. Yesterday the Yankees non-tendered Guiel, making him a free agent. That leaves No. 46 available for Pettitte when he officially becomes a Yankee. He is slated to take a physical Monday or Tuesday.

Guiel was the only Yankee non-tendered, but the club was watching the list of players who weren't offered a contract by 9 p.m. last night. Guiel appeared in 63 games last season. The right fielder had a .242 average with seven home runs and 18 RBIs. Guiel played with the Royals for five years before landing in The Bronx last season. Continue

Deal with prospect near

Continuing their pursuit to add depth throughout their minor-league system, the Yankees are close to signing Cuban prospect Juan Miranda to what has been reported as a four-year major-league contract for $2 million. Brian Cashman did not return a call yesterday, but Miranda told PinstripesPlus.com that he will be a part of the Yankees' major-league camp at spring training and expects to start next season at Double-A Trenton.

As is the case with most Cuban defectors, his age is in question. The Yankees believe the lefthanded-hitting first baseman/outfielder is 23, but Baseball America cited sources on its Web site yesterday with evidence that he is 25. Miranda defected from Cuba in February 2005 and has lived in the Dominican Republic. He began working out at the Yankees' Dominican academy early last month and recently flew to Tampa to take a physical. But Miranda almost didn't make it out of Cuba. He was among a group of six players who, according to a 2005 story in the Miami Herald, were caught by Dominican officials, arrested and jailed. They would have been sent back to Cuba, but former big-league pitcher Jose Rijo won their freedom. Continue

Yanks, Bosox gun for Buc

Is there anything the Red Sox and Yankees won't fight over? Now it's Pirates lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez. While the Red Sox are engaged in the high stakes Daisuke Matsuzaka negotiations that have to be completed by midnight Thursday, they are trying to upgrade a bullpen that needs a closer since Jonathan Papelbon is being viewed as a starter. The Yankees, who have tried countless ways to get a dependable arm in front of Mariano Rivera since Jeff Nelson's and Mike Stanton's first tour of The Bronx, believe Gonzalez could be the guy. Continue

Cards may need time to see all of Carl's files

The Cardinals have asked to view Carl Pavano's expansive medical records, according to a report in yesterday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch, a sign that the Yankees might be able to get out from under that albatross of a contract. The Rockies previously expressed interest in the righthander, but talks broke down because they wanted the Yankees to eat most of the $22.95 million left in the final two years of his four-year, $39.95-million deal, a person familiar with the talks said.

Finances figure to be an obstacle in potential talks with the Cardinals, making it far more likely that Pavano will have to prove his health by pitching regularly during spring training to increase his trade value. The Yankees no longer have to count on Pavano as part of their 2007 rotation because they have landed Andy Pettitte and the rights to Japanese lefthander Kei Igawa. They'd love to trade Pavano, who has been a major disappointment. He hasn't pitched since June 2005 because of myriad injuries, including those incurred in an auto accident that he withheld from the team. Continue

Signing Pettitte may help land Clemens

Nobody from the Yankees or Roger Clemens' camp is predicting the Rocket will follow Andy Pettitte and land in The Bronx this summer. Yet, there isn't a voice that counts on either side that is against it. George Steinbrenner will always leave the light on for Clemens, and Clemens cherishes his pitching with Pettitte and speaks glowingly of his five-year stint in pinstripes.

The Yankees signed Pettitte to essentially a two-year, $32 million deal Friday that will become official when the lefty passes a physical following a hunting trip. Though Pettitte gives them much-needed help in what remains a suspect rotation, it also puts them in the favorite's seat to get the 44-year-old Clemens, if he chooses pitching over retirement. Continue

Signing Pettitte may help land Clemens

Nobody from the Yankees or Roger Clemens' camp is predicting the Rocket will follow Andy Pettitte and land in The Bronx this summer. Yet, there isn't a voice that counts on either side that is against it. George Steinbrenner will always leave the light on for Clemens, and Clemens cherishes his pitching with Pettitte and speaks glowingly of his five-year stint in pinstripes.

The Yankees signed Pettitte to essentially a two-year, $32 million deal Friday that will become official when the lefty passes a physical following a hunting trip. Though Pettitte gives them much-needed help in what remains a suspect rotation, it also puts them in the favorite's seat to get the 44-year-old Clemens, if he chooses pitching over retirement. Continue

Yankees seeking glove at first

With Andy Pettitte joining fellow ground-ball specialist Chien-Ming Wang, the Yankees have shown an interest in slick-fielding first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. Even though Mientkiewicz is a left-handed hitter and the Yankees are seeking a right-handed bat at first, he isn't an automatic out against lefties (.274 last year). Hideki Matsui and Jason Giambi handle left-handers well, and Mientkiewicz is considered a defensive upgrade at first over right-handed hitting Shea Hillenbrand, who has talked with the Yankees.

"He catches the ball, that's a lock," a scout said of 32-year-old Mientkiewicz, who batted .283 with four homers and 43 RBIs for the Royals last season. Mientkiewicz, however, was limited to 91 games due to a back problem that resulted in postseason surgery to correct a chipped piece of bone pressing against a nerve, but he has completely recovered and will be ready for spring training. The A's and Yankees are among several teams interested in the .270 career hitter with an on-base percentage of .359 who was paid $1.85 million last season. He has played for the Twins, Red Sox, Mets and Royals. Continue

Pettitte rejoins Yankees

Andy Pettitte is headed back to the Yankees. Pettitte and the Yankees reached a preliminary agreement Friday on a $16 million, one-year contract, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced. The deal includes a $16 million player option for 2008. Pettitte must pass a physical for the agreement to be finalized.

Pettitte left the Yankees after the 2003 season to sign with his hometown Astros and spent three seasons with Houston. Joined by former Yankees teammate Roger Clemens, he helped Houston reach the World Series for the first time in 2005. The 34-year-old left-hander was 14-13 with a 4.20 ERA last season. He would join a rotation that includes Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson. (AP)

Yanks accept Astro assist

As they wait, wondering if Andy Pettitte sincerely wants to return to the Bronx, the Yankees yesterday departed the winter meetings hoping that the Astros' near-trade for pitching improved the Bombers' position. An Astro deal for White Sox starter Jon Garland fell through at the last minute, apparently because Chicago had medical concerns about pitcher Taylor Buchholz, one of three players the Chisox were getting in return.

Nobody seemed to know for sure whether the teams could revive the deal, but people close to the situation believed Astros owner Drayton McLane was sending a message that he's not going to let agents Randy and Alan Hendricks use the Yankees to drive Pettitte's price well above the $12 million a year the Astros have in mind. Continue

A-Rod’s the meal ticket

When Yankees general manager Brian Cashman dined with Scott Boras on Wednesday night here, they were accompanied by an even more high-profile guest: Alex Rodriguez. "Cash and I were going to have dinner and Alex was in the area, so I gave Alex a call," Boras said. "After Alex left, Cash and I discussed business." At the dinner, as first reported by SI.com, Cashman reaffirmed the Yankees' belief in A-Rod, whose struggles have drawn the wrath of many Yankees fans, and discussed ways in which the Yankees can better support the two-time American League MVP.

Boras also delivered a sales pitch for free agent Barry Zito to Cashman, but while the Yankees figure to stay in the Zito loop, they have no intention of competing with the Mets, Rangers, Mariners or other clubs for the lefthander's services. Bernie Williams is also represented by Boras, and the agent attempted to engage Cashman on the free-agent outfielder's future. Said Cashman yesterday: "I told Scott that conversation will have to take place sometime after I get to New York." Continue

Andy's return rights wrong

A little more than three years ago, the Yankees decided they had no further use for Andy Pettitte. Even though he had been a winner in each of his nine Yankees seasons, a postseason force and was coming off a 21-8 year in 2003, the consensus was Pettitte was a punched ticket, his left elbow chewed up by too many innings, his future in the game decidedly in the past. They granted him his free agency and then sat back, not even bothering to make an offer, as Pettitte signed a three-year, $31-million deal with the Houston Astros.

For one year, the Yankees looked like geniuses. Pettitte's first season in Houston was a disaster, cut short in August by the elbow surgery the Yankees were sure was inevitable. But now, two solid seasons for Pettitte and two postseason busts later for the Yankees, it has become obvious the decision to cut him loose was a mistake and a bad one. The succession of frauds the Yankees brought in to fill the void - Kevin Brown, Javier Vazquez, Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright, Esteban Loaiza and of course, Randy Johnson - fizzled in the regular season and bombed out in October. Those names are the biggest reasons why the Yankees have not been in a World Series since 2003, have not won it since 2000, haven't gotten past the first round of the playoffs for two years running. Now it is time for the Yankees to go crawling back to Pettitte. Continue

Prepared to pitch 'em up

Andy Pettitte is in play big-time with the Yankees and Barry Zito was on the table last night when Brian Cashman and Scott Boras spent four hours together outside of the Dolphin Hotel. "Cash is trying to improve his team every year and you come to the (Winter Meetings) and you chat about things," Boras said upon re-entering the hotel. "We talked about Barry, (Ron) Villone and Bernie (Williams)."

Cashman initially refused to discuss specifics but later confirmed Zito's name surfaced. Cashman wouldn't say if he talked to Boras about Alex Rodriguez' state of mind going into a season in which A-Rod can opt out after it's over. "Cash is comfortable with Alex," Boras said. "It's not a topic we discuss a lot." Continue

Sexson might be 1st option

While the Yankees met with Shea Hillenbrand's agent yesterday, another option at first base surfaced. And while Richie Sexson is an expensive alternative, it could be one for the Yankees. The Mariners have let teams know they are looking to move Sexson and third baseman Adrian Beltre in order to reduce payroll. It's believed the Mariners are clearing money in order to go after free agent Barry Zito.

Casey Close, Sexson's agent, had a meeting last night with Mariners brass to gauge its desire to move the right-handed slugger who batted .264 with 34 homes and 107 RBIs last season. He has two years and $28 million left on a four-year, $50 million contract he signed prior to the 2005 season. While the Yankees aren't going to give up Chien-Ming Wang or Phil Hughes for Sexson, a package headed by Melky Cabrera could entice the Mariners if they are willing to eat some of Sexson's money. If they don't pay part of the money, they can't expect much back. Continue

A Bronx comeback for Andy sounds dandy

Premature as the talk of Andy Pettitte returning to the Bronx seemed to be yesterday, it is the best kind of news for the Yankees that he is at least considering such a move. Tender elbow and all, he'd still be my first, or at worst, second, choice to pitch a playoff game on the current Yankee team. By next October, Chien-Ming Wang may warrant royalty status if he continues to progress. Otherwise, I'd take Pettitte over Mike Mussina, Randy Johnson, and whoever else winds up in the rotation.

I know, I know, he's 34 now, coming off a 14-13 season that included more elbow problems. He may never win 21 games again, as he did in 2003, his last season in New York, but he did have a strong second half for the Astros, and, well, it's hard to forget his fierce competitiveness and his proven ability to win in October. Indeed, it's his kind of heart the Yankees have seemed to miss in the playoffs in recent years. Maybe it's a stretch to believe Pettitte's presence could bring back the magic of the early Joe Torre years, but then, maybe it's not. Continue

No waiving goodbye for Alex, Jason

Alex Rodriguez is not the only star the Yankees asked to consider waiving a no-trade clause. The Yanks also put out feelers to Jason Giambi's camp to see if the slugger was willing to be moved, a person familiar with the Yankees operations told The Post. However, as with A-Rod, the Yanks were told Giambi has no desire to waive his no-trade provision because he wants to stay and win in New York.

In addition, the person familiar with Yankee operations said the main reason the Yankees deigned not to pursue a deal for Rodriguez was because he informed the team that he would not agree to a trade. Aware of that, the Yanks then began telling other clubs and media they would not deal Rodriguez because they valued him as a player and did not think they could get equal value in return. If A-Rod had agreed to consider a trade, the Yanks would have, at least, explored the market thoroughly, with the knowledge that the Angels, Dodgers, Cubs and White Sox were all very interested. Continue

Fish refuse to bite on Dontrelle trade

Typically quiet first day at baseball's winter meetings, other than another idiotic signing by the Texas Rangers - three years, $34 million for Vicente Padilla. Manny Ramirez still is an apparently reluctant Red Sox as the Dodgers attempt to significantly reduce Boston's asking price to their much-coveted hard-throwing reliever Jonathan Broxton and maybe one other top prospect, and Barry Bonds remains a man without a beckoning team, although it now appears the mothership Giants are ready to come to his rescue.

On the rumor front, let's quash the big one before it gets started up again because it affects both the Yankees and the Mets: Dontrelle Willis isn't going anywhere. That's what the Florida Marlins are telling anyone who inquires about the personable and gifted lefty. The Yankees did call and so did the Mets and they were both told the same thing. At long last, the Marlins - this time with the direct involvement of commissioner Bud Selig - are making progress on getting a new stadium deal in downtown Miami, which would preclude any more payroll-dumping by them. Besides, Willis isn't costing them a whole lot right now and they have him under control for two more years. Continue

Posada pitches Andy return

Andy Pettitte is trying to decide between retiring and pitching again next year. His former teammate, Jorge Posada, believes his pal is headed back to the mound and Posada also encouraged his ex-batterymate to return to the Yankees. "He'll pitch," said Posada, who was in midtown last night to accept an award from Kids in Distressed Situations, a charity that honored the catcher for his foundation. "He's got plenty to go. He's only 34, he's got a lot of baseball left.

"If he wants to come back to New York, I'm pretty sure (Yankee GM Brian) Cashman would look at it and everybody would be happy. He came through with a lot of great games for us." The Yankees have kept in contact with Pettitte's agents, who say the pitcher could decide later this month whether he'll play next season. (Daily News)

Waiting and hoping for a Pettitte return

Brian Cashman checked into Disney's Swan and Dolphin Resort last night with a checklist of his remaining offseason questions on his mind. But there's one question he has no control over. The Yankees will have a roster spot for Andy Pettitte until he tells them otherwise, even though a Pettitte return to pinstripes seems unlikely. His decision is not expected to come for another few weeks. With retirement continuing to pull at him, Pettitte has not performed any baseball-related activities since the Astros' season ended two months ago. But the former Yankee is expected to begin his offseason workout regimen soon, and he figures to reach a decision after he tests his body.

The Yankees certainly are not counting on a Pettitte return, but he'd be a nice addition to a thin rotation. They also like that he would not seek a long-term deal similar to free agents such as Gil Meche and Ted Lilly. Pettitte, meanwhile, seems at least somewhat intrigued by the Yankees, the team he pitched for from 1995-2003, as he has not ruled it out to team officials. But just as Pettitte told the New York media three weeks ago at Joe Torre's foundation's dinner, he continues to tell people he is seriously contemplating retirement at the age of 34. Continue

Team player

Derek Jeter plays the game right. He also knows how to treat teammates. Recently, the Yankees Captain has been hit with some misguided criticism that he should come out stronger in his defense of Alex Rodriguez. "What do they want me to say? I don't get that one," Jeter told The Post yesterday.

"From Day 1, I've said time and time again, 'Alex is going to be fine.' When he was going through it, I said, 'He's going through a slump every player goes through, I don't care how good you are.' I said, 'He's a big part of the team.' I said, 'It's one of those things, and at the end of the year he's going to be exactly where he is all the time.' "That's exactly what I said," Jeter calmly explained. "I said the only thing I wasn't going to do was tell the fans who they should boo and who they shouldn't boo." Jeter knows that's a slippery slope. Continue

Stove goes cold

aEven as GM Brian Cashman has begun to change the Yankees' way of doing business the last couple of years, putting more emphasis on developing young talent and less on buying aging stars, there have been big-ticket items to pursue in the offseason. Last winter it was Johnny Damon. The winter before that the Yankees won the Carl Pavano sweepstakes, then traded for Randy Johnson.

This winter? Is it possible that for the first time since signing Mike Mussina six years ago, this is the offseason the Yankees actually don't add another superstar to their long list of marquee names? It looks that way as Cashman heads for the winter meetings in Orlando - unless he is not as opposed to trading Alex Rodriguez as he says. Otherwise, with no significant need for a position player, and a mindset not to overpay for less-than-dominant starting pitching in a free-agent market that so far is flush with cash, this could be a quiet winter meetings. Continue

Yankees likely won't turn to Lilly

Prior to the Yankees acquiring the rights to Japanese lefty Kei Igawa on Tuesday, Ted Lilly had hopes of returning to The Bronx and pitching for the Yankees. Now, according to his agent Larry O'Brien, those hopes aren't as strong. "In my conversations with Brian [Cashman], it was maybe we would get together at the Winter Meetings," O'Brien said. "But now they have the rights to [Igawa], I don't know, they may not have a need to go after Ted. I haven't heard from Brian."

The Yankees have until Dec. 28 to sign Igawa or the 27-year-old lefty returns to Japan and the Yankees get their $26 million posting fee back. However, he is expected to sign a four- or five year deal at about $4.5 million per season.By the time Igawa is a Yankee, Lilly could have a four-year deal from the Cubs in the $36 million to $37 million range. Continue

Prime Yankees seats will cost a bundle

The face value of the highest-priced Yankees ticket purchased on a game day next season will be a whopping $400, representing almost a 300 percent increase. But though there are significant increases throughout the lower two levels, the Yankees say they made these jumps with the working fan in mind. Prices for tickets in almost all of the upper deck and the bleachers will be the same for the third straight year, which chief operating officer Lonn Trost said is possible because of the increases elsewhere in the stadium.

"It's just an acknowledgement that there are certain people who can afford tickets and there are people who can't," he said. "We have to make certain that people who can't afford certain prices, regardless of area, can go." Bleacher seats bought in advance are $12. Upper-deck seats are $19 or $40 (tier box) in advance and $20 and $42 on game day. But if you're looking for better seats, be prepared to pay a lot more than in past years. A full-season plan for the best tickets the Yankees offer will cost $150 per seat, a 36 percent increase from the $110 they cost in 2006. Trost said 98 percent of the best tickets are sold as part of ticket plans. Continue

Yanks keep eye on Hillenbrand

Pitching remains the Yankees' No. 1 priority even if they have five names for the same amount of spots in the rotation. However, there are other areas GM Brian Cashman is looking to bolster as he heads to next week's winter meetings in Orlando. He is searching for a right-handed hitting first baseman so Jason Giambi can be used as the DH. Cashman also is looking for a backup catcher to Jorge Posada, and he's likely to bring back Miguel Cairo as the utility infielder.

As for the right-handed hitting first baseman, according to Shea Hillenbrand's representative, the Yankees have an interest. "We are having discussions, and [the Yankees] are one of the teams in the mix," Dan Lozano said. "We aren't as far along as we would like with all the teams but hopefully in the next couple of days we will have something." Continue

Bullpen needs could make Bernie odd man out

While Bernie Williams is eager for another season in pinstripes, a cloud of uncertainty hovers over his future. General manager Brian Cashman and manager Joe Torre both have spoken with Williams recently, but they have given him little indication whether they plan to have a spot for him on their 2007 roster, according to a person familiar with the situation. When Torre spoke with Williams, the person said Torre echoed what he told reporters three weeks ago today: that Williams' future could be determined by whether the Yankees decide to go with an additional pitcher in the bullpen.

The Yankees would like to lessen their bullpen's workload next season and the solution might be carrying 13 pitchers, which is something they have done for only short periods. That would leave room for only one reserve outfielder - Melky Cabrera - eliminating a potential roster spot for Williams. Williams probably would choose to retire rather than play for a team besides the Yankees, the only organization he knows. They signed him in 1985 and he has been in the majors since 1991. Continue