He is willing to besmirch the names of two former Yankee executives who, he says, were taking goods and selling them.

A Yankee executive said yesterday that the talks with the Mariners were "not dead."

"It's something that we need to take a look at every day," one Yankee executive said.

Selig spoke with Yankee executives about this gaffe and is awaiting an explanation.

Still, the Yankee executives said, ultimate power rests, as it always has, with Steinbrenner.

According to the Yankee executive, Steinbrenner is waiting until next month to announce the renewal.

By saying they disagree with a policy, the officials said Yankee executives are telling employees they do not care if rules are broken.

But Yankee executives cannot relax on the laurels of 88 victories and the first second-place finish since 1986.

Yankee executives are now trying to figure out if these kids are indeed capable of winning in the big time.

"I wouldn't want to say we have a slam-dunk case because anything can happen," one Yankee executive said.