Bernie Williams is leaning toward accepting the Yankees' offer of a minor-league contract, two people familiar with the situation told Newsday yesterday.
The 38-year-old, ultra-popular outfielder is aware that he'll be a long shot to make the 2007 Yankees, the sources said. But after spending all 16 of his big-league seasons as a Yankee, he has no desire to play for another team, and Williams figures that if he doesn't make the cut, he'll retire in Yankees pinstripes.
Should Williams move forward and agree to the non-guaranteed deal, he would give Yankees fans a likely final chance to thank him, albeit in exhibition games, for his outstanding career. But he also would make himself one of the focal points of the media, from the first workout until the close of camp.
Williams has made it clear in recent interviews that he's not ready to retire. Yet both his strong family ties - he makes his full-time home in Westchester - and his appreciation of his place in Yankees history have made him reluctant to join another team. Viewed through that prism, going to Yankees camp could at least give Williams a sense of closure.
The Yankees effectively eliminated Williams' roster spot when they committed to a platoon at first base, signing free agent Doug Mientkiewicz to share the job with either Andy Phillips or Rule 5 draftee Josh Phelps. Jason Giambi is expected to get the bulk of the at-bats at designated hitter.
