Source: NJ Star Ledger Sunday, January 07, 2007 BY DAN GRAZIANO Star-Ledger Staff
A person with knowledge of the negotiations, who asked not to be identified because the Yankees haven't announced the deal yet, confirmed reports that the Yankees have re-signed utility infielder Miguel Cairo to a one-year contract worth $750,000.
The Yankees had been looking for a utility infielder, and Cairo is one they know well. He played for them in 2004 and 2006.
There's a possibility, if Cairo shows he can handle the position, that the Yankees would use him as the right-handed-hitting half of their first-base platoon with lefty- swinging Doug Mientkiewicz. If they did that, they could bring back Bernie Williams as a fifth outfielder.
However, it seems more likely right now that the right-handed first baseman will be either Andy Phillips or Josh Phelps, which would leave no room for a Williams return unless the Yankees traded fourth outfielder Melky Cabrera.
Great, we needed a utility player who can play anyplace. But now they just have to decide whether its worth keeping two poor-hitting first-baseman (besides Giambi) or to bring back Bernie Williams. It should be a no-brainer, but I guess not...
