Before they can fully address their glaring needs in center field and the bullpen, the Yankees had to take care of one of their own. They did that yesterday, agreeing to terms on a new contract with Hideki Matsui that will keep the Japanese superstar in the Bronx for the next four years and pay him $52 million, according to sources.

GM Brian Cashman and Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem, put the finishing touches on the pact last night and Matsui is scheduled to have a press conference at the Stadium today. This contract makes him the highest-paid Japanese player in the game. [daily news]

and further down the page:

The Yankees exercised their $1.5 million option on Tanyon Sturtze yesterday, though they are still actively searching for other bullpens options. Sturtze will figure into the Yanks' setup plans, but they have also had contact with the agents for lefties B.J. Ryan and Scott Eyre and righthanders Tom Gordon and Kyle Farnsworth. Gordon is seeking a three-year deal and the Yanks want to give him two; in their ideal scenario, he would re-sign and Ryan would join him to form a powerful tandem in front of Mariano Rivera.

sign them all! torreproof the pen!

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