According to a person with knowledge of the negotiations, the Randy Johnson trade proceedings have hit a serious roadblock.

Doug Mientkiewicz is still a player of interest for the Yankees, which could use him to platoon at first base with Andy Phillips or Josh Phelps.

The Yankees and Diamondbacks have moved even 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.

Sources close to the negotiations said Thursday that the Yankees and Diamondbacks could complete a trade to send Randy Johnson back to Phoenix before next week.

The San Francisco Giants appear to be the frontrunners for Barry Zito.

Former Yankees star Bobby Murcer was set to have surgery Thursday to remove a brain tumor, the Daily News reported.

As the Yankees kept talking about trading Randy Johnson, they finalized their $20 million, five-year contract with Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa on Wednesday.

The Padres have reportedly made a more competitive pitch for Randy Johnson than the Diamondbacks have.

If the Yankees are serious about trading Randy Johnson, the Diamondbacks would love to have him back.

Shea Hillenbrand has agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, FOXSports.

The Yankees have spoken to the, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres and a third team, believed to be the San Francisco Giants, according to a baseball executive who was granted anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about a possible deal.

The Yankees have begun trade talks involving Randy Johnson with several teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, although it is too early to tell whether the discussions will lead to a deal.

The Yankees got the bill Friday for their sorry season.

The Yankees added another name to their growing farm system on Friday, signing Cuban prospect Juan Miranda to a four-year contract worth a little more than $2 million.

Andy Pettitte returned to New York for a reunion and decided to stay.

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.

Internal debats continue in the Yankee organization whether they should trade outfielder Melky Cabrera for Pittsburgh closer Mike Gonzalez.

The Yankees are expected to officially welcome Andy Pettitte back to the Bronx later this week, but he may not be the only left-hander to put on his new pinstripes.

Despite rumors to the contrary, Randy Johnson hasn't asked the Yankees to deal him closer to his Arizona home.

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.

Agent Randy Hendricks reiterated in an E-mail on Wednesday that Roger Clemens "will not make a decision until 2007.

A person familiar with the Yankees' thinking said the team has renewed interest in righthanded pitcher Joel Pineiro, who hit the free-agent market yesterday following a subpar season with Seattle.

Yankees pitching prospect Hector Noesi was suspended Thursday for the first 50 games of next season after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance under baseball's minor league drug program.

According to ESPN Deportes, the New York Yankees signed Cuban prospect Juan Miranda to a four-year contract worth $2 million.

The Cardinals have asked to view Carl Pavano's expansive medical records, according to a report in Sunday's St.

Andy Pettitte says he moved from Houston back to New York because the Yankees put on a "full-court press" and the Astros showed signs they were ready to move on without him.

Sources say Roger Clemens' name never came up during talks among the Hendricks brothers, the agents who represent both The Rocket and Andy Pettitte, and the Yankees.

Andy Pettitte and the Yankees have reached an agreement on a one-year deal worth $16 million, with a $16 million player option for 2008, sources close to the negotiations told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Andy Pettitte decided Wednesday he will pitch next year rather than retire, a move that will set off negotiations with his hometown Astros and the Yankees.

Andy Pettitte is strongly considering retirement, but is said to be intrigued with the idea of returning to the Yankees and "could possibly have a deal by the end of the week," according to a baseball source familiar with the negotiations.