Scott Boras speaks wistfully about a long-term contract for the 36-year-old Damon, pointing out the Yankees gave Jorge Posada a four-year commitment at age 36. But the Bombers won't be so generous this time around — two years will be the maximum for Damon. Still, they like the left fielder and the feeling is mutual, so much so it undercuts some of Boras' leverage. The Yankees will likely offer Damon arbitration and, after considering some of the other possibilities (like the Giants), he'll accept and find himself in pinstripes in 2010.

Mark DeRosa: Phillies

The Yankees are intrigued by DeRosa's versatility and power, not to mention he's homegrown (a New Jersey native). What the Bombers can't offer, however, is a full-time job. The Phillies, on the other hand, are looking for an everyday third baseman, and the idea of playing 150 games for a team that's made back-to-back trips to the World Series is incentive enough to sign. DeRosa hit a HR every 12 at-bats against left-handed pitching last year, which diminishes the caveat that he'll play at age 35 in 2010.

Randy Wolf: Diamondbacks

Do you believe in Wolf's miniature renaissance of 2009, when his 3.23 ERA registered almost a full run below his 4.13 career average? There'll be a handful of National League teams willing to take a chance on the left-hander, even though he's creeping towards his mid-30s. Wolf led the NL with 34 starts and his hits-per-nine-innings (7.5) was his lowest since 2002.

Andy Pettitte: Yankees

Pettitte won all three clinching games in the Yankees' postseason, a nice finishing touch after having nearly retired last winter. Only question is, does Pettitte want to keep pitching? The Yankees know they'll be bidding against themselves; it's either pinstripes or barbecuing in the backyard for Pettitte. Club officials believe Pettitte is leaning towards one more season, but that's not to say it'll be an easy negotiation. He was only guaranteed $5.5 million last year, and it's certain the Hendricks brothers, Pettitte's agents, will push hard for a well-deserved raise.

Rich Harden: Nationals

Harden had a strikeout ratio to die for last year (171 in 141 innings), but anyone taking on his assets (a mid-90s fastball) will assume his history of chronic injury. Harden was shut down at the end of 2009, which made it five out of the last six seasons that have been undermined by health issues. Still, the right-hander is only 27 and has shown that when he's on, he's electric and worth an incentive-laden deal.

Hideki Matsui: White Sox

GM Ken Williams said he wouldn't be able to afford Matsui after his World Series MVP performance, but the White Sox are nevertheless interested. They need a left-handed power hitter to replace Jim Thome — and Matsui will need a home after he discovers how lean the market is. The Yankees wish him well, but have no plans to bring him back. Matsui earned $13 million in 2009 but at age 35 with two bad knees that prevent him from playing the field, he'll have to accept far less to continue his career in the majors. A deal with the White Sox makes sense on both sides.