[新聞] Notes: Cairo's first choice is Yankees

[parabird (Harry)]

11/30/2006 9:15 PM ET

Notes: Cairo's first choice is Yankees
       Veteran says he'll wait for New York; Godzilla OKs Igawa

By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- Miguel Cairo has not yet heard from the Yankees about a new
contract this winter, but the veteran infielder remains hopeful that he will
return to New York in 2007.
"I really want to come back there," Cairo said. "I want to stay in New York.
Hopefully, they'll ask me to come back."

Cairo, whose first year in the Bronx was in 2004, returned to the Yankees as
a free agent in 2006 after spending the previous season with the Mets.

The 32-year-old Cairo started 57 games for the Yankees at five different
positions in 2006, hitting .239 with no home runs and 30 RBIs. He filled in
for Robinson Cano for 36 games while Cano was on the disabled list, hitting
.269 with 22 RBIs and seven stolen bases as a second baseman.

Cairo also started 10 games at shortstop, six at first base, four at third
base and one in left field last season.

According to Cairo, a return to the Bronx is his first choice, and he appears
willing to wait for the Yankees before signing elsewhere.

"My agent has been talking to different teams," Cairo said. "I let him take
care of it. Whenever he has something for me, he'll call me and tell me."

Cairo's agent, Seth Levinson, did not return a phone call. Yankees general
manager Brian Cashman was also unavailable for comment.

In addition to a reserve infielder, the Yankees are also shopping for a
backup catcher, a right-handed-hitting first baseman and possibly another
pitcher or two for the back end of the staff. With that in mind, Cairo knows
that it may take a few more weeks before his situation is resolved.

"You have to wait," Cairo said. "You can't push anyone to sign you. I'll wait
to see what happens."

Happy Hideki: The news that the Yankees had secured the negotiating rights
for lefty Kei Igawa was welcomed by Hideki Matsui, who played against Igawa
in the Yomiuri-Hanshin rivalry in Japan.

"I am going to support him as much as I can," Matsui told Sankei Sports in a
Wednesday interview. "If he has a great performance next season, I believe
the Yankees would be world champion."

The Yankees have until midnight on Dec. 28 to come to terms with the
27-year-old southpaw, who is represented by agent Arn Tellem. Cashman said
that Igawa, who is projected to be a No. 4 or 5 starter, features an arsenal
of a fastball, curveball, slider and changeup.

"He's pitched in front of big crowds and we feel he's a back of the rotation
guy. Could he be more than that? It would be nice," Cashman said Thursday on
the YES Network. "At the very least, he's a 27-year-old lefty that can
compete on a big stage, which he did with the Hanshin Tigers. He's pitched in
pressure spots. We look forward to the opportunity to talk to him."

Matsui, who had 12 hits (including three home runs) in 50 career at-bats
(.240) against Igawa, said that adjusting to life in New York won't be
difficult for Igawa.

"He does not have to worry about New York life, because there are no big
differences from Japan," Matsui told Sankei Sports. "Maybe he has to drive
more carefully in Manhattan."

Bernie banter: It remains to be seen whether Bernie Williams has a place with
the Yankees in 2007, but Cashman won't rule out any possibilities, calling
the situation "unresolved."

Williams, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal last December to serve as
a role player in 2006, hit .281 with 12 home runs and 61 RBIs in 420 at-bats,
as he got a significant amount of playing time due to injuries to Gary
Sheffield and Hideki Matsui.

Cashman has spoken with both Williams and his agent, Scott Boras, but said it
was "premature" to speculate on Williams' potential role with the Yankees.
Johnny Damon, Matsui and Bobby Abreu are set to start in the outfield, while
Melky Cabrera is penciled in as the fourth outfielder.

"Our landscape [in the outfield] has changed, which certainly will dictate me
having further discussions about whether Bernie fits or not," Cashman said on
the YES Network. "Bernie has meant a lot to the organization for quite a long
time. Because of that, I am respectful of that in the process. At the same
time, I have to do the best I can to put a quality team in '07 on the field."

Mark Feinsand is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the
approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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