Arn Tellem, the agent for Hideki Matsui, said in an E-mail yesterday that he expected to begin talking to the Yankees about a new contract for his client this week.

To Yankees fans who drool over the vision of Torii Hunter in pinstripes, take a step back.

Updated: Oct.

The fans have spoken -- in at least two languages -- and for 12 players, their status is officially legendary.

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman decided Wednesday to stay with the only team he's ever worked for, accepting a three-year contract worth more than $5 million.

Help in center will likely come from the trade market since the Yankees don't want to get involved in a long-term deal with Johnny Damon, who will be 32 early next month.

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has been offered a three-year contract worth more than $5 million, and the team hopes he will decide in the next few days to stay.

Brian Cashman may announce his intention to return as the Yankees' general manager as early as Tuesday.

White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper was holding court with a huge throng of reporters in the middle of the clubhouse before yesterday's World Series workout when Ozzie Guillen came stalking out of his office and shouted: "Hey Donnie! I just heard Dave Righetti got the job in New York and you got (bleeped)! Now you got to beg me to come back here!" It has been a rather open secret that Cooper, the 49-year-old Queens product and New York Tech product who has been given a lion's share of the credit for the best pitching staff in the AL, is high on the Yankees' list of potential replacements for Mel Stottlemyre.

In an effort to retain his general manager, owner George Steinbrenner called Brian Cashman to tell the GM that he wants him to return, the New York Post reported.

Larry Bowa was contacted Thursday by GM Brian Cashman and manager Joe Torre about the possibility of Bowa joining the Yankees staff as one of the team coaches next season.

Second baseman Mark Bellhorn has elected free agency rather than having his contract sent outright to Triple-A Columbus, the team announced.

Atlanta Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone will not be joining Joe Torre's staff next season, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney confirmed Wednesday.

Joe Torre thinks Williams might be willing to stay on as a part-time player - a la Ruben Sierra - next year.

Talks between the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone are heating up, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Tuesday.

Joe Torre intends to return as manager of the New York Yankees next season, saying Tuesday that “I still want to manage here.

Alex Rodriguez played poorly in the Yankees' American League Division Series loss in part because he was saddened by the death of the uncle who raised him, the slugger's mother said in an interview published in a local newspaper Sunday.

Hideki Matsui has spent the last week in his Manhattan apartment, waiting like everyone else for Joe Torre to speak publicly for the first time since the Yankees were eliminated from the postseason Monday.

Brian Cashman is believed to be on the Phillies' short list of GM candidates, possibly even the favorite, while the Yankees gauge their chances of keeping him.

Tom Gordon's days as a Yankee appear to be over.

According to a Japanese newspaper, the Yankees are poised to offer Hideki Matsui a three-year deal worth $35.

Almost certain he's stepping down after 10 years as New York Yankees pitching coach, Mel Stottlemyre had harsh words Wednesday for George Steinbrenner and the owner's treatment of manager Joe Torre.

All signs point to Joe Girardi soon being named as the Marlins manager.

His eighth season as a Yankees general manager complete, Brian Cashman will report to work today, surely, with some disappointment, as has been the case the four prior baseball postseasons.

While people close to George Steinbrenner doubt he will fire Joe Torre and pay him $13.

Hideki Matsui suffered through a difficult final game to the season, going 0-for-5 and making the last out on a sharp grounder to first.

With Randy Johnson not starting Game 4 or 5 of the Division Series, he could be a candidate for relief duty.

Mike Mussina stayed in Los Angeles when the series moved East.

Ken Griffey Jr.

The Yankees gave the Marlins permission to speak with New York bench coach Joe Girardi about their managerial opening.

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was removed from Sunday's regular season finale against Boston in the fourth inning as a precaution after bruising his right knee.

On Aug.