Cashman will speak with Rivera

By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer
February 13, 2007

    TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Mariano Rivera spoke softly, and the New York Yankees got the message.

    A day after the All-Star closer said "if they don't give the respect that I deserve, I have to move on," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he intends to speak with Rivera -- but would not necessarily offer a contract extension beyond 2007.

    Rivera seldom says anything controversial, and his remarks dominated the back pages -- and in one case, the front page -- of Tuesday's tabloids in New York.

    "Mo knows how we feel about him. We care a great deal about him. He's been a great Yankee," Cashman said Tuesday. "Obviously there's a contract in place that we worked out a while before. Let me talk to him first. In theory I would always prefer to wait. Right now I want to concentrate on '07 and worry about '08 at another time. When that time will be, that would be between me and Mo."

    Rivera and catcher Jorge Posada are entering the final seasons of their contracts and are eligible for free agency after the World Series. Rivera will earn $10.5 million this season, completing a deal that pays him $31.5 million over three years.

    "The Yankees always give me the respect," Rivera said Monday. "When the time comes, if they want me back, they want me back. Otherwise, I'm not going to sit in my house crying. I have to move on."

    Cashman said the one time he spoke with Rivera during the offseason, the 37-year-old didn't bring up his contract situation. Rivera's agent and Cashman did have one conversation about an extension.

    "Every situation has a proper time and a proper place," Cashman said. "My preference is to wait throughout the year on everybody, if I possibly can. We have a lot of people up. I'm going to talk Mariano first, have a conversion with him to see where he's at."

    Updated on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 7:48 pm EST



Torre attempting to reach out to Williams

By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer
February 13, 2007

    TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Yankees manager Joe Torre is trying to reach Bernie Williams and left the impression that the outfielder would have a chance to make New York's roster if he accepts a minor league contract and comes to spring training.

    "Who knows? That's the one thing about being down here," Torre said Tuesday after his opening staff meeting of training camp. "You don't know. You're going to leave here with the team that you want to go north with."

    Torre telephoned Williams last week and again on Tuesday but didn't speak with him. Williams said Friday he was leaning against the Yankees' offer of a minor league contract.

    "I haven't heard back from him. I'd feel better if I was able to talk to him," Torre said. "I want to see what he's thinking."

    While Williams' corner locker in the Yankees' Legends Field clubhouse had no name Saturday, he was listed on a roster pinned to the message board. By Tuesday, a new roster had been posted that omitted Williams' name and left his No. 51 open. Late in the morning, a clubhouse attendant moved Jose Veras' belongings into Williams' locker and put Veras' name above it.

    Since Torre took over after the 1995 season, Williams has been one of the manager's favorites. Williams helped the Yankees win four World Series titles and six AL pennants, and is beloved by fans.

    New York hasn't offered Williams a major league contract because general manager Brian Cashman built a roster that figures to have 12 pitchers, a platoon at first base of Doug Mientkiewicz and either Andy Phillips or Josh Phelps, and Jason Giambi at designated hitter. That leaves no available spots for Williams, who would be the fifth outfielder.

    Asked whether he was sad that Williams didn't appear to be in the team's plans, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner indicated he wasn't involved in the decision.

    "That's up to Cashman," he said.

    Williams, now 38, lost his starting job in center to Johnny Damon last year but saw considerable playing time due to injuries to Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield. Williams finished with a .281 average, 12 homers and 61 RBIs in 420 at-bats.

    "We'll have to see what we have," Torre said. "Sometimes the best-laid plans aren't the ones that really pan out."

    Torre tried to meet with Williams several times during the offseason, but the get-togethers were canceled because of illness or travel plans. While Torre was in Hawaii on vacation, he did speak to Williams by telephone.

    "He was a little uncomfortable and disturbed about what was going on," Torre said. "You tend I'm sure to feel slighted."

    Cashman, speaking in the clubhouse before Torre, said the offer of a minor league contract for Williams remained open. Catcher Jorge Posada said he had spoken with Williams and said Williams still was thinking about the Yankees' offer.

    "He's got an opportunity to come in," Cashman said. "We'd love to have him. I respect the fact that he's not interested in doing that. Other than that, there's not a whole lot more I can speak to."

    Updated on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 8:18 pm EST