ultimate decision Don Mattingly has left the door open for his possible return to the New York Yankees next season, but for now has told the Yankees to pursue other options.

The club, as a result, likely will go after free-agent first basemen Fred McGriff and Mark Grace.

Owner George Steinbrenner told Jim Krivacs, Mattingly's agent, that he wanted the team captain back for 1996.

In a statement released by Ray Schulte, Mattingly's marketing agent, Mattingly said: "I am very grateful and appreciative that Mr. Steinbrenner has been actively pursuing me, through Jim, to sign an agreement to play next year. Contrary to what has been reported, Mr. Steinbrenner did not ask for or set a deadline for me to make a decision on my playing status.

"The organization needs to make critical personnel decisions now and I fully realize and respect their situation."

Mattingly joined the Yankees as a regular in 1983 and over the last decade has been the player most associated with the team. He was an all-star from 1984-89 and succeeded Ron Guidry as captain.

In July 1990, just three months after signing a five-year contract extension, Mattingly was disabled by recurring back pain. The injury had a lasting effect on Mattingly's power; since 1990, he has not hit 20 home runs or driven in 90 runs.

Mattingly has a .307 career average, 2,153 hits, 222 homers and 1,099 RBI. Last season, he hit .288 with only seven home runs and 49 RBI in 458 at-bats. He filed for free agency after the World Series.

"He has given tremendous thought to what he is saying and he understands the ramifications," Schulte said. "He is unable to decide whether he wants to play or not.

"He's told George Steinbrenner at this time that he should go ahead, through free agency or trade, and get himself a first baseman if that's what he wants to do."

"Donnie is a Yankee and always will be a Yankee as far as we are concerned," Steinbrenner said in the statement. "We're pleased that he has made it known that he wants to spend the rest of his career in baseball with the Yankees. We'll do everything we can to accommodate and support his decision concerning the 1996 season." Williams, Pete

Copyright 1995, USA TODAY BASEBALL WEEKLY, a division of Gannett Co., Inc.