--C Jorge Posada reportedly expressed interest in playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, but general manager Brian Cashman told the New York Daily News the catcher "wouldn't be able to perform." Cashman also added that Posada -- who is rehabbing from a surgically repaired right shoulder -- will miss the start of spring training and isn't guaranteed to be ready for Opening Day. He did say Posada is progressing well in his rehab and started throwing on Dec. 8. Posada had told a Spanish-language paper in Puerto Rico, Primera Hora, he wanted to get ready in time for the WBC because it would be his last opportunity to play in the tournament.
--RF Xavier Nady was one of three players to file for arbitration on Jan. 15, the last day players are eligible to do so, but his status is the team's murkiest. He subsequently avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $6.55 million deal. Nady's name has been in the trade rumor mill since the Yankees acquired 1B Mark Teixeira because that pushed 1B/OF Nick Swisher into a crowded outfield. Reports have indicated the Yankees are shopping Nady, who is eligible to become a free agent after next season, while Swisher is in the middle of a multi-year deal. Nady hit .268 with 12 home runs and 40 runs batted in 59 games for the Yankees last season. --RHP Brian Bruney, who passed on surgery last season so he could rehab a foot injury in time to return for the end of the year, filed for arbitration. Bruney turned heads around the Yankees last season when he reported to camp trimmer, and he had a 1.83 ERA in 32 games. He could greatly aid the Yankees bullpen if he stays healthy this season.
--CF Melky Cabrera, whose status has dropped to likely bench player or trade bait, avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.4 million deal. Barring a trade, Cabrera is supposed to compete for the starting center-field spot, but rookie Brett Gardner is likely to be the favorite.
--RHP Freddy Garcia reportedly is considering signing a minor league deal with the Yankees -- along with some other clubs -- and that move could further hurt the dwindling chances of LHP Andy Pettitte returning to the club. Garcia was considering the Yankees, Mets, White Sox and Rangers, according to ESPN 1050 radio in New York. The former star for the Mariners went 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA for Detroit last season after rehabbing from shoulder surgery. With the chances of Pettitte's return already low after the months-long impasse over the Yankees' desire for him to take a pay cut, Garcia would be another veteran candidate to fill the fifth spot and provide insurance for injuries or the ineffectiveness of a young pitcher.
--INF Doug Bernier, 28, signed a minor league contract with the Yankees. A non-drafted free agent, Bernier spent his first seven professional seasons in the Colorado organization and played in two games for the Rockies during a three-game stay with them last June.
BY THE NUMBERS: 370 -- Number, in millions, of additional tax-exempt bonds the Yankees received from New York City for their new stadium in a recent vote. The club had previously been allotted $942 million.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're hoping to have Jorge by Opening Day, but he will not be the opening spring training catcher, I can tell you that." -- Yankees general manager Brian Cashman on the status of Jorge Posada's rehab from his shoulder surgery. Cashman also said Posada would not be ready to play for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic tournament, in which Posada has expressed interest.
