NEW MILFORD, Conn. -- Bernie Williams plans to decline the New York Yankees' offer to attend spring training on a minor league contract, the outfielder told reporters Friday night before playing guitar at a benefit concert.
"I think if they wanted me, they would have signed me already," Williams was quoted as saying by several New York newspapers. "The option to go to spring training and see what happened -- I don't think at this moment it is something I want to consider."
Williams added that he's been working out, but it doesn't appear as though he'll be playing with the Yankees this year.
New York general manager Brian Cashman said there was no room for the 38-year-old Williams on the roster.
"We love and respect Bernie, but with the dynamic of our roster, there's not a spot," Cashman told the New York Times. "We had a lot of conversations with him. I understand that he doesn't want to accept a minor league deal."
Williams, the career leader in postseason home runs (22) and RBI (80), hit .281 with 12 homers and 61 RBI in 131 games last season, his 16th with the team. The four-time World Series champion is a career .297 hitter.
Yankees captain Derek Jeter said it would be "unfortunate" if Williams doesn't return to the team.
"You never like to see that aspect, you know with Bernie, what he's meant to the organization," Jeter said Saturday in Tampa, Fla., at a baseball clinic sponsored by Upper Deck. "I'm not up to date or up to par with all the negotiations and things like that. I would love to see Bernie come back."
Williams' locker at Legends Field, the Yankees' spring training home, did not have a name tag above it Saturday.
"It's a decision he has to make," Jeter said. "Hopefully, he makes the best decision for him."
New York's pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training on Tuesday.
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