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E-mailYanks decline arbitration on Matsui, Damon
The Yankees declined to offer salary arbitration to World Series MVP Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon and Andy Pettitte — a move that means New York wouldn't receive draft picks as compensation if they sign with other teams.
Tuesday night was the first big deadline of baseball's offseason, with teams having until midnight to make arbitration offers to their former players who became free agents. Players have until Dec. 7 to accept; if they reject, they still can re-sign with their former clubs at any time.
Among those declined arbitration were Detroit pitcher Jarrod Washburn, Seattle lefty Erik Bedard, Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado, Milwaukee center fielder Mike Cameron and Kansas City catcher Miguel Olivo.
» There was just one positive steroids test in the major leagues over the full first year of the toughened program, but the number of players authorized to use otherwise banned stimulants because they have ADHD rose by a small amount for the second consecutive year.
» The Indians traded catcher Kelly Shoppach to the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be determined.
» Free-agent catcher Brian Schneider and the Phillies agreed to a two-year contract.
» Backup infielder Alex Cora is staying with the Mets, agreeing to a $2 million, one-year contract with a vesting option for 2011.
» Tommy Henrich, nicknamed "Old Reliable" for his knack of delivering clutch hits for the Yankees, died yesterday. He was 96.
» Former Diamondbacks pitcher Scott Schoeneweis' wife died from an overdose of cocaine and an anesthetic, lidocaine, an appellate court disclosed in a ruling released yesterday.
Basketball
» Veteran guard Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers are closer to a deal. A person with knowledge of the contract talks says the Sixers offered a one-year, non-guaranteed contract to Iverson. Iverson announced his retirement last week after an ill-fated stint with the Memphis Grizzlies. Another person with knowledge of the deal said Iverson's decision should come today.
» New Jersey Nets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe will coach the team for the rest of the season. Vandeweghe, who has never been a head coach, will take over the young, injury-depleted Nets (0-17), who are on the verge of setting the NBA record for most losses to start the season. He won't be on the bench when they play host to Dallas today, though. His tenure officially starts with Thursday's practice.
» Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown says if he had it to do over again, he would have played Zydrunas Ilgauskas on Saturday. Instead, the coach says Ilgauskas will play against Phoenix today, assuring the center of the franchise record for most games played (724). LeBron James criticized Brown for not getting Ilgauskas in the game so he could break the record.
» Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Redd isn't traveling with the team on a two-game trip because his left knee continues to bother him. Redd strained a ligament in his surgically repaired knee in Milwaukee's win over Detroit on Oct. 31.
» Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love started contact drills in practice as he continues rehabilitation of a broken left hand. Love was injured in the preseason and hasn't played at all this season.
» Former Central Catholic star Kyle Goldcamp was named to the 10-man roster for the Erie Bayhawks of the NBA Developmental League.
Horse racing
» Kentucky racing officials say drug screening for horses will improve and become cheaper under a change to their testing system.
Soccer
» FIFA says Ireland won't be invited to the World Cup as a 33rd team despite the hand ball by Thierry Henry that helped France eliminate the Irish in a playoff.
