"The Yankees may be looking for a designated hitter, but Jorge Posada said last week's trade of Jesus Montero to Seattle had no impact on him.

Asked why, Posada, who strongly hinted at retirement again last night, said, "It just didn't."

And he insisted last year's problems with Yankees management aren't the reason he is ready to walk away, although he again admitted "it wasn't a comfortable situation."

So that leaves Posada on the verge of ending his career. The only thing left to do is make it official."