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Yankees, O'Neill close to agreement Tentative one-year deal calls for $6.5 million salary
Updated: Friday November 10, 2000 11:25 PM
NEW YORK (AP) -- Paul O'Neill appears to be headed back to the Yankees. While the outfielder filed for free agency before Friday's midnight deadline, he and the Yankees tentatively agreed to a $6.5 million, one-year contract. "The deal's worked out," said O'Neill's agent, Joe Bick. "It is just a matter of getting everything finalized and getting a physical." Friday was the deadline to file for free agency, and O'Neill decided to go ahead and file pending a final agreement. But neither he nor the Yankees seemed concerned. The contract is for the same amount O'Neill earned in 2000, according to a source familiar with the talks who spoke on the condition he not be identified.
Despite a hip injury that rendered him ineffective for the final month of the season and much of the postseason, O'Neill finished with a .283 average, 18 homers and 100 RBIs. He did not hit a home run after Sept. 6 and did not have an extra-base hit from Sept. 6 until Game 5 of the first-round division series against Oakland. Because he will be 38 next season, the Yankees were concerned with his health and durability. New York general manager Brian Cashman did not want to comment on the state of negotiations with O'Neill, considered by many to be the heart of the Yankees because of his fiery personality.
New York originally wanted O'Neill to take a salary cut from the $6.5 million he earned this year, but that was resisted by Bick. Glenallen Hill also filed for free agency, but did it conditionally. New York still holds a $1.5 million option on him for 2001 but has until Wednesday to exercise it. In addition, suspended outfielder Darryl Strawberry ended his ties with the Yankees by filing for free agency. Strawberry, serving a one-year suspension for using cocaine, is in a Tampa, Fla., jail and also is fighting cancer. Jose Canseco, whose $4 million option was declined by the Yankees on Thursday, filed but Dwight Gooden did not, forcing the team to make a move if it wants to open his roster spot. Also Friday, New York hired Gary Denbo to replace Chris Chambliss, fired last week as the Yankees' batting coach. Denbo was the Yankees' assistant director of player development this year and has been the organization's hitting coordinator since 1996. "I'm very excited to get the opportunity," said Denbo, who has worked extensively with Yankees star shortstop Derek Jeter. Denbo, 39, becomes only the second new coach since manager Joe Torre hired his staff before the 1996 season. Jose Cardenal left when he didn't get the raise he wanted after the 1999 World Series and signed with Tampa Bay. Lee Mazzilli replaced him as first-base coach. "He's an organizational guy, just like me, and moved up the ladder," Cashman said. "Joe Torre agrees with his philosophy, likes his demeanor." Cincinnati drafted Denbo in the 17th round in 1983, and he spent four years in the Reds' minor league system.
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