Late inning relievers still in clover

• A healthy lefty late inning reliever--should any be left after being injured in the 2009 World Baseball Classic--is what everyone wants and few have. A lack of supply indicates too few young athletes are willing or able to do the job for whatever reason.

(Newsday, Ken Davidoff): "The (Yankee) team still has to announce its decision on

• lefthanded reliever Damaso Marte, who has a $6-million team option for 2009.

• The Yankees likely will decline the option, and in recent years,
• Cashman hasn't offered multiyear deals to setup men.

If he holds to that philosophy, and Marte finds a more lucrative package elsewhere, the Yankees will accept two amateur picks in return for Marte's departure."

• On Giambi:

(Newsday, Ken Davidoff): "Regarding Giambi, Cashman said, "His option year was so high. We enjoyed having him as a Yankee. This doesn't mean, going forward, he won't be a Yankee."

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