Yankees Preparing Offer For A-Rod

DENVER - The Yankees are preparing to offer Alex Rodriguez a contract extension that probably will run for four or five years and have an average yearly salary of $25 million to $30 million.

New York has attempted to set up a meeting with A-Rod but the slugger's agent, Scott Boras, hasn't committed to a face-to-face session. Rodriguez can opt out of his record $252 million, 10-year contact up until the 10th day following the World Series.

He is owed $72 million by the Yankees during the final three seasons of that deal, but New York would receive a $21.3 million subsidy from the Texas Rangers, who originally signed Rodriguez to the contract and agreed to the payments when they traded A-Rod to New York in 2004. The Yankees would lose that subsidy if Rodriguez terminates the contract and say they would drop out of negotiations if he opts out.

In addition, A-Rod is owed $3 million annually in deferred money by the Rangers, payments that were converted to an assignment bonus at the time of the trade.

The Yankees have not yet finalized the proposal they intend to make, but the contemplated parameters were discussed by a baseball official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the details have not been made public.

Meanwhile, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Saturday there were no developments in the team's managerial search. Hank Steinbrenner, a son of owner George Steinbrenner, was quoted in Saturday's editions of The New York Times as saying the team will make a decision Monday and an announcement the following day if given permission by Commissioner Bud Selig.

In addition to Rodriguez, the Yankees have several other potential free agents to deal with. The team is hopeful of reaching agreements with closer Mariano Rivera and catcher Jorge Posada on contracts that would be for about $40 million over three years each, and New York is likely to exercise a $16 million option on right fielder Bobby Abreu.

Pitcher Andy Pettitte has a $16 million player option, and the Yankees hope he will return for 2008.

BIGGIO HONORED: Houston Astros star Craig Biggio won the 2007 Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to a major-league player who combines community service with excellence on the field.

Biggio, 41, was picked from among 30 nominees, one from each big-league team.

The second baseman retired after this season, his 20th in the major leagues. He became the 27th player to reach 3,000 hits on June 28.

Known for his gritty play at several positions, Biggio also is the national spokesman for the Sunshine Kids Foundation, which provides support for young cancer patients.