Yankees re-sign Heredia, near deal with Quantrill

NEW YORK (AP) -- Left-handed reliever Felix Heredia agreed to a two-year, $3.8 million contract Wednesday to stay with the New York Yankees.

He was 0-1 with a 1.20 ERA in 12 appearances with the Yankees, who claimed him off waivers from Cincinnati on Aug. 25. He was 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 57 games with the Reds.

Heredia had a $1.7 million player option for 2004, which he declined. His new deal calls for $1.8 million salaries in each of the next two seasons and gives the Yankees a $2.5 million option for 2006 with a $200,000 buyout.

New York also is trying to re-sign Gabe White, another left-handed reliever. Chris Hammond, signed last offseason as a left-handed setup man, may be traded.

The Yankees also are close to a two-year, $6 million agreement with right-hander Paul Quantrill, who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. Backup catcher John Flaherty has agreed to a $775,000, one-year contract, but must pass a physical for the deal to be finalized.

Gary Sheffield, who met Monday and Tuesday with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner at the team's spring training complex in Tampa, Fla., worked out Wednesday at the Yankees' minor league complex in Florida.

Sheffield, a free agent who appears likely to sign with the Yankees, may have a physical Thursday.