N.Y. vs. N.Y. battle for Zito?

The Yankees were hoping to acquire Matsuzaka. But now they insist they aren't going to overpay for Barry Zito.

Come to think of it, are these really the Yankees?

Well, it's a different breed of Yankees. General manager Brian Cashman is more in charge than ever and he's said by fellow workers to intend to work "smarter and better.'' Loosely translated, that means Cashman is determined not to sign the albatross type contract that's stung them in the past. And that he's resolved to lower the payroll for a second straight year, even if it's by pennies.

That also means they're going to draw the line on Zito, who's said by friends to be interested in New York. The Yankees like Zito and will pursue him but they indicate they won't break the bank for Zito. That doesn't mean they won't get him, as he probably wouldn't mind going to New York, joining buddies Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon in pinstripes.

Don't expect the Yankees to be the high bidder. It's likely that the Mets, who need a top-of-the-rotation starter, will be more aggressive for Zito's services. And so might the Angels, Rangers and Mariners, who like Zito's lifetime 41-16 record in the AL West.

Randolph, Mets apart at start

Everyone figured Willie Randolph and the Mets could come to a quick agreement. But so far that isn't happening.

No official offers were made in Omar Minaya's first serious discussion with Randolph's longtime agent Ron Shapiro on Tuesday. The Mets have told people they'd like to give Randolph a two-year extension for between $1 million and $1.25 million per year, while Randolph understandably would like a three-year deal for more money.

You can't really blame Randolph for that, as the Mets just got through paying Art Howe $2.35 million a year for the past four years (in other words, Howe made more than three times not to manage the Mets than Randolph made to manage the Mets, though it could be argued that both were money well spent).

Randolph has proved to be well-suited to manage in New York and he's been surprisingly adept at game situations. If this doesn't work out, Randolph could wait a year and join the Yankees mix.

Around the Majors

• Minaya teased writers by suggesting he thought he'd make a trade before he left here. Minaya gave no clue as to what that trade could be.

• The Mets are one of many teams who will show interest in one or more of a trio of White Sox starters -- Freddy Garcia, Javier Vazquez or Mark Buerhle -- who could be available. The White Sox have interest in Mets pitching prospect Mike Pelfrey, but one person said "Pelfrey isn't going for any of those pitchers.''

• Cubs GM Jim Hendry responded "sure, why not?'' when asked if he could still vigorously pursue Alfonso Soriano even after spending $73 million on Aramis Ramirez. Ramirez said he was looking for a little bit of both'' pitching and hitting. No wonder Lou Piniella was wearing a smile all day in the hotel lobby.

• The Tigers are expected to take a cost-efficient lefty-hitting first baseman such as Doug Mientkiewicz. But if they can trade for Ben Broussard, they'd probably prefer to do that.

• The Devil Rays bid $4 million and may win the posting process for third baseman Akinori Iwamura. The Red Sox, Padres and Indians were also bidding on Iwamura, who can be expected to be converted to a second baseman for Tampa. In that scenario, Jorge Cantu would be moved to first base.