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Yankees don't slow up

If Joe Torre, Yogi Berra and Mike Mussina hadn't put the full-court press on Oakland first baseman Jason Giambi by calling him last week, the most notable free agent news since the end of the World Series might have been right-hander Todd Van Poppel's signing.

Three years after the Rangers gave up on him, Van Poppel agreed to a three-year deal worth $7-million last week.

Hold your applause.

If commissioner Bud Selig's intention regarding the elimination of two teams was, in part, to slow free agent activity this offseason, the Yankees haven't exactly been intimidated.

Though talks between the A's and Giambi reopened late last week, the Yankees are believed to be offering a little more than the six-year, $91-million Oakland has had on the table since last spring.

"My feeling is that if Jason was going to sign with the A's, he would have done it by now," A's pitcher Barry Zito said. "It's frustrating to sit back and watch this. I wish I could have an optimistic view, but the reality is that we probably can't compete with the Yankees."

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE: Overshadowed in the Giambi talk is Tampa native Tino Martinez.

The free-agent first baseman, who turns 34 this week, received support from Yankees teammate Derek Jeter during a teleconference Thursday.

"Tino has done a great job for us," Jeter said. "He's been here six years for us. He's done a great job. He's a fan favorite.

"(If he goes), we'll miss his leadership in the clubhouse. Everyone in baseball would love to have Jason Giambi on their team, and Jason's a great guy, as well. But for me, I'm biased towards Tino."

BUSINESS INTEREST: After the owners' meeting Tuesday in Chicago, Selig urged teams to continue with business as usual -- whether it be selling season tickets or renewing sponsorships -- despite the uncertainty surrounding next season.

The Rays, according to chief operating officer John McHale Jr., have done exactly that.

"We have proceeded to pursue our business as we normally would," he said. "I think the responses that we've gotten from those with whom we've had these discussions have been very much in the normal course."

MORE BUSINESS: Selig has been asked by Rep. John Conyers Jr., the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, to provide three years of financial records for six teams for Thursday's scheduled hearing in Washington regarding baseball's 79-year-old antitrust exemption.

The Rays are one of the six along with Minnesota, Montreal, Florida, Oakland and Kansas City.

A DOCTOR'S PRECISION: The Rockies hope a bothersome groin led to Mike Hampton's disappointing showing in the second half last season.

The left-hander from Brooksville started 9-2, was named an All-Star, but went 5-11 with a 7.39 ERA in his final 19 starts.

He had surgery Tuesday in the hopes of correcting a groin injury, originally sustained last offseason and aggravated in a start against the Giants in late May.

"The doctor would not have performed the surgery if he didn't feel it was needed," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said. "He said he has done it before on athletes and it had a positive result. We think it might (have been a problem), but only Mike will know for sure and he won't really know until he starts throwing."

RUMOR MILL: The Rays had been linked loosely with Boston outfielder and Tampa native Carl Everett in offseason trade rumors, but general manager Chuck LaMar reiterated this week the club's desire to not increase payroll.

"We'll continue to have our talks about possible trades," LaMar said. "But we're just not going to increase payroll. ... I don't see us having an extremely active offseason. That can change. If there is contraction, things can change."

Everett hit .257 with 14 homers and 58 RBIs and will make $8-million next season.

COMPLETING THE DEAL: By releasing outfielder Jose Guillen on Tuesday, the Rays now have nothing left from the 1999 trade that sent catchers Joe Oliver and Humberto Cota to the Pirates for Guillen and pitcher Jeff Sparks.

Cota hit .297 with 14 homers and 72 RBIs in 111 games for Pittsburgh's Triple-A affiliate in Nashville. Oliver hit .250 in 17 games with Boston.

ODDS AND ENDS: Rays manager Hal McRae will participate in a chat on www.devilrays.com at 7 p.m. Wednesday. ... Former Rays third baseman Herbert Perry, who signed with the Rangers last week, may be just keeping the hot corner warm as Texas ponders dealing Mike Lamb and prospect Hank Blalock doesn't appear ready for the majors.

-- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.

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