Around the Yankee Universe, 03.29.09

Here are some New York Yankees' notes for your consideration as we head into the final days of Spring Training.

• Mark Teixeira told the Boston Globe that the Red Sox shot themselves in the foot in an effort to sign him last winter by being too public about the negotiations.

"I think always had the Yankees in my sights, and one thing that my agent and I had asked every single team is, we're not going to negotiate through the media, and we ask you not to," Teixeira said. "The Yankees were really the only team that did that. The other teams went out and told everybody their offers, and told everybody they're gonna talk to me, that they've made made this call, and they made that trip, and they did that. The Yankees just kind of kept quiet. We talked with them all throughout the offseason and when they were ready to make their final offer, it was a great offer, and my wife and I were very excited about going to New York."

Teixeira was asked specifically if the public nature of the Red Sox negotiations last winter bothered him. "It did, it did," replied Teixeira. "And I think in the end, it probably worked against them a little bit, because everyone thought the Red Sox were [my] No. 1, but in reality, the Yankees were gonna be the team, like I said all along, if all things were equal, the Yankees were the place that I wanted to go. It made the most sense for my family. It made the most sense for me and my career and where I wanted to go. Being a Yankee and wearing the pinstripes into the new Yankee Stadium, it doesn't get any better than that. They had a leg up all along."

The way things have gone the past few seasons I will gloat, just a little, over any victory the Yankees can get over the Red Sox. 'Kudos' to Was Watching for the find.

• All that talk about the Yankees needing a long reliever to start the season might end being little more than that. It seems Jonathan Albaledejo might earn the 12th spot instead of Brett Tomko, Dan Giese or Alfredo Aceves. I have no problem with that. If the starting pitching is as good as it is supposed to be, a long man should not be necessary.
• Dave Robertson was among eight players cut Saturday.
• Bernie Williams still wants to play. Bernie, baby, please just let it go.