Sat, Dec 24, 2005 page18

• Yankees agree to retain veteran Bernie Williams

  • AP
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  The New York Yankees agreed to a US$1.5 million, one-year contract with popular outfielder Bernie Williams, who has been in pinstripes since 1991 and compiled statistics that put his name alongside the team's greatest players.

  "He ranks right there with the Gehrigs and the Berras and the Ruths and the Mantles," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said on Thursday.

  Williams' playing time will be reduced following this week's agreement with Johnny Damon, who takes over as the starting center fielder. Damon had his physical on Thursday, and the Yankees called a Friday news conference to finalize his US$52 million, four-year contract.

  Williams had 485 at-bats last season, starting 99 games in center and 22 at designated hitter.

  "There were no promises made in terms of certain amount of at-bats or where," Cashman said. "It could materialize as a pinch hitter, a DH, a pinch runner, an everyday outfielder, a defender whether it's left field, center field. It just remains to be seen."

  Williams is now 37, but despite his diminished skills he remains a favorite of teammates and fans. He joins Yogi Berra, Frank Crosetti, Bill Dickey, Whitey Ford, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Mantle as the only players to spend 16 seasons with the Yankees.

  "I'm happy to have him in the fold. He's a gem," owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement.

  Williams' contract allows him to earn an additional US$1.5 million in performance bonuses -- US$115,384.62 for each 25 plate appearances from 150 through 450. New York had declined a US$15 million option, electing to pay a US$3.5 million buyout that concluded an US$87.5 million, seven-year contract.

  Williams' agent Scott Boras, who also represents Damon, said Williams could have gotten more money elsewhere.

  "He took a lot less to come back to the Yankees because he values the Yankees tradition," Boras said.

  Williams signed with the Yankees in 1985, took over as the regular center fielder in 1993 and helped lead the Yankees to four World Series titles and six AL pennants from 1996-03.

  While the Puerto Rican is a five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, Williams batted just .249 with 12 homers and 64 RBIs in 485 at-bats last season, and his defense cost the team. Still, he is close to manager Joe Torre and his importance to the team goes beyond statistics.

  Williams is taking over a reserve role held by Ruben Sierra since 2003.

  "Quite frankly, he can do some things more than the individual who held that position the previous years," Cashman said.

  Cashman said this agreement was "putting him in position to continue to hopefully remain only a Yankee for life and be one of those rare guys in this era to stay with one team."

  "That," Cashman said, "is something extremely special and rare."

  The Seattle Mariners took a chance on Matt Lawton by agreeing on Thursday to a US$400,000 one-year contract with a player who will start next season under suspension because of steroid use.

  The commissioner's office announced on Nov. 2 that Lawton tested positive for a steroid identified as boldenone, which is used by veterinarians.

  "The only embarrassment for me was having to tell my family how everything went down," Lawton said. "It taught me a lesson, and I'm very fortunate for the opportunity the Mariners have give me."

  Lawton said he took the steroids with about eight games left in the season and thought he would not be caught.

  "What's the chances?" Lawton said. "Everything happens for a reason."

  Because he tested positive under the 2005 program, Lawton will miss the first 10 days of next season instead of 50 games, the penalty called for under the toughened agreement players and owners adopted under pressure from politicians.

  "When somebody first brings the name up, there are a lot of reservations," Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi said. "As with every player you look into everything very closely, and we're satisfied its a one-time deal."

  The left-handed-hitting Lawton batted a combined .254 last season with 13 homers and 53 RBIs in 141 games for Pittsburgh, the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. He was terrible at the end of the season, going 6-for-48 (.125) for the Yankees with two homers and four RBIs. New York did not include him on its playoff roster.

  The 34-year-old Lawton, who received a limited no-trade clause, can earn an additional US$1.25 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances and would get the full amount if he has 600.
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