Yankees Say No to Boggs, Gooden

The New York Yankees on Saturday cut loose third baseman Wade Boggs and pitcher Dwight Gooden.

The club announced it is passing on 1998 contract options for both.

The moves saved $5 million in salaries at an expense of $400,000 in buyouts. Gooden was to receive a $3-million salary and got a $300,000 buyout. Boggs was given a $100,000 buyout instead of $2 million for 1998.

“Wade Boggs and Dwight Gooden are two very special players who made significant contributions to the Yankees’ return to prominence in the ‘90s,” General Manager Bob Watson said. “They have deservedly earned prominent places in this club’s rich history and the decisions not to pick up their options were certainly not easy ones to make.”

Boggs, 39, batted .292 in 104 games last season, only the second time in 16 seasons he has failed to hit .300. In five seasons with the Yankees, he batted .313. He has 2,800 hits and a lifetime average of .331.

Gooden, who turns 33 on Nov. 16, was 9-5 with a 4.91 earned-run average in 19 starts and one relief appearance last season. In two years with the Yankees, he was 20-12 with a 4.97 ERA, including a no-hitter against Seattle on May 14, 1996.

Gooden, troubled by drug and alcohol problems that have led to multiple suspensions from baseball, has a lifetime record of 177-97 with a 3.31 ERA and 2,067 strikeouts.

*

Philadelphia outfielder Gregg Jefferies waived his protection rights in the expansion draft, but said he wants to continue playing for the Phillies.

“The reason I did this is I want the Phillies to be able to protect a younger player that will help us be a better team. I don’t want to be selfish and say, ‘No, you have to protect me,’ ” Jefferies was quoted as saying in the Philadelphia Inquirer on Saturday.

Last season was the worst of Jefferies’ career. He hit .256 with 11 home runs and 48 runs batted in.