--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, did not immediately join teammates Xavier Nady and Melky Cabrera in avoiding arbitration. However, it could be only a matter of time. Bruney asked for $1.55 million and the club offered $1.1 million. The right-hander turned heads around the team in 2008 when he reported to camp trimmer and had strong results, posting a 1.83 ERA in 32 games.
--RF Xavier Nady signed a one-year deal with the Yankees for $6.65 million to avoid arbitration. The deal won't necessarily dispel rumors that Nady could be used as trade bait, however. The rumors have come since the Yankees acquired 1B Mark Teixeira, which pushed 1B/OF Nick Swisher into a crowded outfield. Reports have indicated the Yankees would deal Nady, who is eligible to become a free agent after next season because Swisher is in the middle of a more cost-effective multi-year deal. --CF Melky Cabrera, whose status has dropped to likely bench player or potential minor-leaguer, managed to get himself a raise and avoid arbitration in the process. Cabrera signed a one-year deal for $1.4 million, up from $461,200 last season, according to the Journal News of Westchester, N.Y. Cabrera, who batted .249 last year, lost his starting job and was demoted to the minors at one point. Barring a trade, Cabrera is supposed to compete for the starting center-field spot, but rookie Brett Gardner is likely to be the favorite.
--2B Robinson Cano will join Alex Rodriguez and four other teammates in representing the Dominican Republic at this year's World Baseball Classic tournament. The other Yankees who will play for the Dominican are CF Melky Cabrera, LHP Damaso Marte, RHP Edwar Ramirez and RHP Jose Veras. RHP Alfredo Aceves will represent Mexico.
--RHP Freddy Garcia, whom the Yankees reportedly were considering for a minor-league contract, signed one with the Mets instead. Garcia agreed to an incentive-laden deal that will allow him to compete for a spot in the rotation and could earn him up to $9 million. Not picking up Garcia left another opening in the ever-shrinking chance for LHP Andy Pettitte to rejoin the Yankees rotation, which still could use some depth. But the Yankees also could deal for a starter if they trade RF Xavier Nady or another corner outfielder.
BY THE NUMBERS: $187.9 million -- Recently reported size of the Yankees' payroll. The club, despite several offseason blockbuster deals, could meet its goal of lowering its payroll from last season, when it was $209 million.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "During that time, (George) Steinbrenner spent more money than the Red Sox. He had more free agents. So when you get the best free agents, and you get the superstars from other ballclubs, that's what made you have a better team. The more money you can spend, the better you should get." -- Recently elected Hall of Famer Jim Rice on why his Red Sox failed to win a World Series during his playing career in the '70s and '80s.
