The New York Yankees hope to know Monday whether Don Mattingly intends to return next season or will seek free agency. A possible announcement may have come on Friday, however Yankees general manager Bob Watson was traveling and did not have any contact with the long-time Yankees captain. Watson also stated that he would would make a statement on the situation on Monday.

Watson has indicated he is willing to talk with Mattingly, but he also told reporters the six-time all-star has to realize the money he would get "can't be astronomical." Watson also indicated the 34-year-old first baseman would not be guaranteed he would be a starting player.

Mattingly earned more than 4.4-million dollars last season, and hit .288 in his 128 games. However, he also had just seven homers and 49 runs batted in, low numbers for a starting first baseman. Over the past six seasons, he has reached double figure in homers just twice and he has not driven in more than 86 runs. In the previous six seasons, Mattingly averaged close to 27 homers and 113 runs batted in per year.

Mattingly has been with the Yankees since 1982. He is seven-time .300 hitter, and led the league in hitting in 1984. Mattingly was the American League MVP in 1985, when he hit .324 with 35 homers and 145 rbi's. He was The Sporting News American League Player of the Year from 1984 through '86, and has won the Gold Glove for first baseman nine times, including 1991 through '94.

Mattingly's career numbers include a .307 average, with 2,153 hits, 222 home runs, 1,007 runs scored and 1,099 rbi's.

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