Don Mattingly, who has spent his entire 14-year career with the New York Yankees, was one of five players to file for free agency on Friday.

Mattingly was joined by teammate Wade Boggs, Texas pitchers Danny Darwin and Jeff Russell, and San Diego pitcher Fernando Valenzuela.

The 34-year-old Mattingly says he will continue to negotiate with the Yankees.

A persistent back injury and an early season eye infection contributed to a slow start in 1995 for Mattingly. He finished the year hitting .287, but totaled just seven homers and 49 r-b- i's. The 1985 American League M-V-P has long been regarded as one of the best fielding first baseman in baseball and has won nine Gold Gloves. His best offensive years came from 1984 to 1989 when he averaged 27 homers, 114 r-b-i's and a .327 batting average.

The Yankees drafted Mattingly in the 19th round of the 1979 free-agent draft.

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