Yankees deal for relievers Rodriguez, Stanton

Rodriguez joins a deep bullpen, but one that struggled after the Yankees won the first three games of the ALCS. The righty went 25-9 from 2001-03, and helped pitch the Giants into the 2002 World Series.

"It didn't surprise me that much. I heard they were interested," Rodriguez said.

In fact, Cashman said he tried to get Rodriguez from the Giants last season for Lofton.

Lofton will make $3.1 million next year and Rodriguez is due $3.15 million. The Yankees gave $1,525,000 to the Phillies.

Stanton was a dependable setup man in the Yankees' bullpen during their World Series years from 1998-2001.

After the 2002 season, Yankees management made similar contract offers to Stanton and free-agent relievers Chris Hammond and Mark Guthrie -- the first one to accept got the job.

Stanton was given about 15 minutes to make his decision. Hammond took the deal, and Stanton wound up signing with the Mets.

Stanton spoke to Cashman this week before agreeing to the trade.

"I've always said it could have been handled maybe a little better, a bit differently," Stanton said. "Bottom line was they felt like they needed to make a move then and they did.

"There's no extra baggage that comes with that. I understand the business of baseball. People change their minds," he said. "It's obviously not going to be a huge change for me. There's not going to be a whole lot over there that I haven't seen or been through."

Stanton went 2-7 in his first year with the Mets. At 37, he went 2-6 with a 3.16 ERA in 83 games last season.

"I don't think he's the same pitcher as he was in 2002, but we hope he can give us a better result than Felix," Cashman said.

Stanton will make $4 million next year. Heredia will make $1.85 million.

"It's really about financial flexibility," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said. "The arm is still there. It's worth taking a chance."

Heredia, 29, was 1-1 with a 6.28 ERA in 47 games this year. The Yankees got him in the middle of the 2003 season in a trade with Cincinnati, but he never found his rhythm in New York.

Free-agent left-hander Eric Milton visited the Yankees' minor-league complex in Tampa, Fla., this week and took a physical. Free-agent right-hander Carl Pavano will visit the Yankees this weekend.

The Yankees will not decide until Tuesday's deadline whether to offer salary arbitration to right-hander Jon Lieber.