Matsui, Damon, Pettitte set to hit open market. The valued opinions have been voiced from the scouting arm of the world champion Yankees universe.

One stroke past midnight the Yankees lose exclusive negotiating rights to Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon and Andy Pettitte, who as of 5 o’clock last night hadn’t filed for free agency though he is expected to do so.

After midnight, Matsui, Damon and Pettitte are free to talk to 30 teams instead of one. -New York Post

Giants’ Lincecum Is Favored to Repeat as National League Cy Young Winner. Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants is favored to repeat as the National Leaguea s Cy Young Award winner, according to Internet gambling Web site BetUS.com . Lincecum had a 15-7 record with a 2.48 earned-run average and led the NL with four complete games, two shutouts and 261 strikeouts. -Bloomberg.com

At This Market, Yankees Feeling No Rush to Buy. “Last year, we had close to $100 million coming off the payroll,” General Manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday. “This year, that’s not the case. Last year, we had more to spend. Every year is different. The talent pool available this year is different.”

Cashman is holding meetings with his scouting staff this week, assessing possible acquisitions. The Yankees have about $50 million coming off their 2009 payroll, but with few elite players in this free-agent class, they are less motivated to make a splash. -New York Times