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OFFSEASON PLAYER MOVEMENT

Players signed	Players lost
LHP Andy Pettitte (option picked up)	RHP Roger Clemens (buyout)
3B Robin Ventura (re-signed)
C Chris Widger (re-signed)
LHP Chris Hammond (free agent)

Complete Player Movement

Torre sounds off


	Torre

Joe Torre knows the Yankees' payroll is likely to go down next year and the New York manager said baseball's new labor agreement is clearly the cause. Under the labor deal, the Yankees estimate they will pay $55 million in revenue sharing and luxury tax next year, up from about $33 million they gave other teams this year. New York's payroll was about $135 million this season, by far the highest in the major leagues, and owner George Steinbrenner wants it to go down. "It's going to be something less than what we had, I guess," said Torre. "It was aimed at George, and they're going to get their pound of flesh."

Rogers: Tightening the belt

Clemens offered arbitration


	Clemens

Six-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens was offered arbitration Dec. 7. Clemens has until Dec. 19 to accept or reject the offer and can re-sign with the Yankees through Jan. 8. New York, seeking to cut payroll, wasn't sure until the weekend it would offer arbitration to the 40-year-old Clemens, who is coming off a $30.9 million, two-year contract. He was 13-6 with a 4.35 ERA last season in 29 starts, and needs seven wins to reach 300. "I am optimistic that we will reach an agreement before Christmas," said Clemens' agent, Randy Hendricks.

Clemens: No worries | Loyal Rocket

Ventura agrees to $5M deal


	Ventura took a pay cut from his 2002 salary of $8.25M.

Third baseman Robin Ventura completed his $5 million, one-year contract with the Yankees on Dec. 5 after passing a physical. "Robin Ventura's production and veteran leadership were invaluable to the Yankees in 2002," said general manager Brian Cashman. "We look forward to him being a key contributor in our quest for another world championship in 2003." The team originally had hoped prospect Drew Henson would be ready to take over at third base by now. But the former Michigan football star has struggled in the minors.

Gammons: Diamond notes

Expos deny trade report

STARK: POWER SOURCE

Hideki Matsui looked awful in the Japan Series. But one scout who has seen him extensively says Matsui will hit in the big leagues -- especially if he winds up in a left-handed hitter's park like Yankee Stadium. Matsui might not hit the 50 homers in the States that he hit for Yomiuiri this year -- "but he'll be at least in the 30s," the scout said. "And anything above that wouldn't surprise me."

NEWS AND NOTES

The Yankees filled a void in the bullpen by signing LHP Chris Hammond to a two-year contract Dec. 12. Financial terms were not disclosed, but various newspaper reports earlier this week claimed the deal was worth $4.8 million.
Even though Hideki Matsui is in the center of the Yankees' radar screen, GM Brian Cashman and the representative for Cliff Floyd are talking about the free agent outfielder joining the Yankees should Matsui opt to play elsewhere. Cashman first must find takers for Raul Mondesi ($7 million), Rondell White ($5 million) and Sterling Hitchcock ($6 million) before signing anybody else, The New York Post reported.
Backup INF Enrique Wilson and the Yankees agreed to a one-year, $700,000 contract on Dec. 12. The 29-year-old Wilson hit .181 in 105 at-bats last season.
The Yankees cut ties with two relievers who contributed to their recent success, deciding Dec. 7 not to offer salary arbitration to LH Mike Stanton and RH Ramiro Mendoza. In addition to Stanton and Mendoza, New York declined to offer arbitration to backup INF Alex Arias and backup OF John Vander Wal.
3B Ron Coomer was extended arbitration Dec. 7. Coomer has until Dec. 19 to accept or reject the offers and can re-sign with the Yankees through Jan. 8.
The Yankees agreed to a one-year contract for about $700,000 with backup C Chris Widger on Dec. 7.
The Yankees on Dec. 4 signed OF Chris Latham to a one-year contract that would pay him $400,000 if he is in the major leagues and $100,000 if he is in the minors. Latham, 29, hit .232 with six home runs, 43 RBIs and 26 steals last season for the Mets' Triple-A team at Norfolk.

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Jason Giambi meets Rizzo and Gonzo from the Muppets.
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Angelic Effort
Joe Torre and the Yankees are faced with more than they bargained for with the "scrappy" Angels.
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FEATURES

Caple: Showin' them who's Boss
Page 2's Jim Caple got his hands on George Steinbrenner's revised employee benefits package. The Boss has spoken.

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"He's done a great job for us the last six years. He's going to be missed."
– SS Derek Jeter on the departure of LHP Mike Stanton

2002 AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
TEAM	W	L	PCT	GB
New York	103	58	.640	-
Boston	93	69	.574	10.5
Toronto	78	84	.481	25.5
Baltimore	67	95	.414	36.5
Tampa Bay	55	106	.342	48.0
Complete Standings

Yankees Basic Tee Our Price: $12.99	Yankees 2002 Authentic Collection Tee Our Price: $16.99
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KLAPISCH: TOP PRIORITY

With rumors of their pursuit of Bartolo Colon gusting like winds of war, the Yankees are indeed looking for a younger, harder-throwing ace for 2003. No one disputes that. Question is, will the Bombers be able to pry Colon away from the cash-poor Expos -- and if so, does that mean Roger Clemens' career in the Bronx is officially over?

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ON THE FARM

Minor league affiliates:
Columbus Clippers (AAA):
    Sched./Results | Stats | Official Site
Norwich Navigators (AA):
    Sched./Results | Stats | Official Site
Tampa Yankees (A):
    Stats | Official Site
Greensboro Bats (A):
    Stats | Official Site
Staten Island Yankees (A):
    Official Site
Gulf Coast Yankees (R)


AVG	2 tied @	.333
HR	J. Giambi	41
RBI	J. Giambi	122
RUN	A. Soriano	128
SB	A. Soriano	41
WIN	D. Wells	19
SV	M. Rivera	28
ERA	D. Wells	3.75
Complete Team Statistics: Batting \| Pitching


C	J. Posada	ROTATION
1B	J. Giambi	R. Clemens
2B	A. Soriano	M. Mussina
3B	R. Ventura	A. Pettitte
SS	D. Jeter	D. Wells
LF	J. Rivera	O. Hernandez
CF	B. Williams	CLOSER
RF	R. Mondesi	S. Karsay
DH	N. Johnson

FEATURES
Caple: Showin' them who's Boss Page 2's Jim Caple got his hands on George Steinbrenner's revised employee benefits package. The Boss has spoken.


Dec 13: Signed infielder Enrique Wilson to a one-year contract; signed free agent pitcher Chris Hammond, who had been with the Atlanta Braves, to a two-year contract with a club option for a third year.
Dec 6: Re-signed third baseman Robin Ventura to a one-year contract.
Complete Team Transactions


No significant injuries.