Posada meets with Cashman, lunch at Fresco by Scotto in NYC--Newsday

"Jorge Posada, his wife and his agents met face-to-face with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman over lunch Friday afternoon, according to a person familiar with the situation, marking the first time the Yankees have met directly with their free-agent catcher.

• The Yankees have been preparing a new offer for Posada, and they may have presented it during their meeting, which took place at the Manhattan restaurant Fresco by Scotto.

...the prevailing belief around the baseball world is that both (Posada and Rivera) eventually will re-sign. Joe Torre and Derek Jeter echoed that sentiment Friday night before Torre's annual Safe at Home Foundation gala at Chelsea Piers.

• "It would surprise me if they weren't back," said Torre, who recently became the Dodgers' manager after 12 years with the Yankees. Said Jeter, "I'm not worried about it. I think they're coming back. I think that's the best way to say it."

Each said he spoke to Rivera and Posada in recent days, but they insisted their opinions had nothing to do with anything said to them in private.

• Rivera and Posada attended Torre's event but chose not to take part in the media festivities. Posada walked briskly past reporters, looking straight ahead the whole time. Rivera smiled at reporters and said, "Nice to talk to you" but never broke stride."

• Jim Baumbach also reports Joe Torre thinks Andy Pettitte is inclined to stay home.

From Newsday article by Jim Baumbach, "Team Posada Meets with Yankee GM Cashman," 11/9/07

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