Steinbrenner Doesn’t Like Classic

Owner George Steinbrenner began spring training in classic style, saying he was disappointed some of his New York Yankees will be leaving camp for the first World Baseball Classic.

Steinbrenner was surrounded by reporters when he finished his lunch at Legends Field in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, the team’s reporting date for pitchers and catchers.

He gave brief responses to questions, talking about the Yankees and the WBC, which runs from March 3-20. Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Johnny Damon are on the U.S. roster, and Bernie Williams is on Puerto Rico’s preliminary roster.

When baseball owners approved the World Classic in August 2004 at the urging of Commissioner Bud Selig, the Yankees abstained.

“We don’t like it that well,” Steinbrenner said. “If a player gets hurt, he’s risking a lot. But it was Selig’s idea and he wants to do it, so I suppose we’re going to do it.”

Several Yankees won’t be participating in the 16-team tournament. Catcher Jorge Posada decided not to push the issue after the Yankees said they’d prefer he not play for Puerto Rico.

Closer Mariano Rivera and outfielder Hideki Matsui said they weren’t interested, and second baseman Robinson Cano and pitcher Chien-Ming Wang have said they don’t want to play.

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Second baseman Brian Roberts and the Baltimore Orioles avoided arbitration by agreeing to terms on a one-year contract worth just over $3 million. Roberts asked for $3.6 million, and the Orioles countered with an offer of $2.4 million. He got $3,075,000.

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The Tampa Bay Devil Rays won their salary arbitration case against backup catcher Josh Paul, who will get $475,000 rather than his request for $750,000. Paul batted .189 in 34 games last season for the Angels and made $450,000.