Bernie Williams' Days with the New York Yankees May Be Numbered

The next time you criticize a major league baseball player for taking the money and running, remind yourself of the lack of loyalty the New York Yankees have shown to their elder statesman, Bernie Williams.

Instead of giving Williams a full-fledged major league deal, the Yankees offered only a minor league contract. To the surprise of some, including the Yankees, Williams turned it down, which means that No. 51 was absent when the Yankees opened training camp last week. And that had to feel strange since Williams has been a fixture in the Bronx since 1991, long before manager Joe Torre arrived on the scene. If this is indeed the end of the line for Williams, it means there are only four players left from the glory days of 1996-2001: Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte, who is back in pinstripes after three seasons in purgatory with the Houston Astros.

How many times, as fans, do we get angry when a popular player leaves our favorite team and signs with another club for more money? That is what free agency has wrought and that is the how the game is played. Of course it's about the money.

Look, I am not going to lose any sleep worrying about Bernie Williams and I'm certainly not going to start a collection for him. The point is, loyalty works both ways. If the Yankees really wanted to, they could have found a way to sign Williams to a one-year-contract because I believe he can still be productive, even in a limited role. It would have been their way of rewarding a player who has meant so much to the franchise fora decade and a half. Alas, such loyalty is rare because, after all, sports is a big business and the Yankees made a business decision, which is their right. But that's why I say the players should try to make all they can when they can. More power to them.

Pride probably prevented Williams from accepting a minor league contract from the Yankees, and we can argue whether that's a good or bad thing. It's fair to say Williams is more sensitive than some of his teammates and didn't want to be put into a position where he had to earn a spot on the 25-man roster. Williams won't be in spring training but that doesn't necessarily mean his time with the Yankees is over. They can still sign him if the parties can work out a deal. The problem is, there just doesn't appear to be any room at the inn for Williams.

The Yankees have indicated they are going to carry 12 pitchers to ease some of the burden on the bullpen. That takes away one, possibly two roster spots. The off-season signing of Doug Mienkiewicz, who is going to platoon with Andy Phillips at first base, eats up another roster slot. In addition, the Yankees want Jason Giambi to be a full-time designated hitter. There are four outfielders - Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, Bobby Abreu and Melky Cabrera (remember him?)

It seems the only role available to Williams would be as a fifth outfielder, whose primary responsibilities, in addition to starting maybe once a week, are pinch hitting and playing defense. Bubby Crosby, a great guy with a great attitude but marginal major league player, happily accepted that role. I can't imagine that Williams would. Besides, pinch hitting and defense are not two of Williams' strengths, certainly not at this point of his career. When you break it down, Williams appears to be the odd man out, as sad as that may be.

If there is no room on the Yankees for Williams, then he would have to make the most difficult decision of his career - retire or play for somebody else. I strongly believe Williams could help another team. At age 38, he obviously isn't the same player as when he was helping the Yankees win all those World Series. Still, he batted .281 last season with 12 homers and 61 RBI in 420 at-bats. Williams received more playing time than expected due to the injuries to Matsui and the now departed Gary Sheffield.

But I don't know if it would be right for Williams to wear the uniform of another team. He is a Yankee and always will be. I suppose I'd rather see him retire than play for somebody else. Maybe Williams will be content to ride off into the sunset, playing his guitar and making his music. But maybe he feels he has more to do in the game. He is more competitive than his laid back demeanor would suggest and maybe he's not ready to walk away from baseball. I just don't think I could ever get used to seeing him wear anything but pinstripes.

You have to think that the Yankees will retire Williams' uniform No. 51 soon after he retires. People may forgot just how good of a career Williams has had because he is not flashy and never craved the spotlight. I think even my brother - who is the biggest Bernie Williams fan I know -- would admit that he falls short of the Hall of Fame.

Still, Williams ranks among the Yankees' all-time top 10 in many offensive categories, including games played (fifth, 2076); plate appearances (fourth, 9,053); at-bats (third, 7,869); runs scored (fifth, 1,366); hits (fourth, 2,336), doubles (second, 2,076); home runs (sixth, 287); RBI (sixth, 1,257) and walks (fourth, 1,069).