Jorge Posada Catcher New York Yankees Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM HR RBI R SB AVG 138 22 95 59 2 .277

The Yankees are likely to sign Posada to a one-year deal, and work on a new contract during the season, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports.

Pitchers Orlando Hernandez and Ramiro Mendoza and outfielder Shane Spencer also exchanged figures with the Yankees. If there are no settlements, dates will be scheduled next week for hearings to be held Feb. 4-21.

Posada hit .277 with 22 home runs and 95 RBI last season. The Yankees hope to soon sign him to a long-term deal, a contract expected to be worth about $50 million over five years.

Hernandez asked for $3.55 million and was offered $3 million. There has been speculation the Yankees, with six pitchers in their rotation, may trade El Duque.

Mendoza asked for $2.8 million and was offered $2.4 million. Earlier this week, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the team would like to work out a multiyear deal with Mendoza.

Spencer sought $1.2 million and was offered $750,000.

Notes: SS Kevin Elster was among 19 non-roster players invited to spring training by the Yankees. Elster, 37, did not play pro ball last season. He spent parts of 12 years in the majors with the Yankees, Mets, Philadelphia, Texas, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. Among the other players invited were IFs Manny Alexander and Kevin Polcovich and LHP Eric Gunderson. Previously invited were IF Luis Sojo, who has been part of four World Series championship teams with the Yankees, and IF-OF F.P. Santangelo.