NEW YORK -- Yankees officials insisted George Steinbrenner was in good health, a day after Gary Sheffield said his future with New York would be secure if the owner's condition was better.

Steinbrenner fainted last month while attending his granddaughter's play, the second time in three years he collapsed in public, and he returned to his Florida office several days later. Sheffield said "middle men" had blocked him from speaking with Steinbrenner and that "if it wasn't for his health, I'd have made that conversation happen."

Yankees officials said yesterday that Steinbrenner's preference was to have Sheffield deal with general manager Brian Cashman. The Yankees exercised Sheffield's $13-million option last weekend rather than allow him to become a free agent, and they appear to be exploring trade possibilities.

"Mr. Steinbrenner's health is fine, so it has nothing to do with that. Brian is in charge of baseball operations," said general partner Steve Swindal, Steinbrenner's son-in-law and designated successor.

Steinbrenner has cut back on his public comments in the last three years, and the 76-year-old owner appears unsteady while walking at times.

"George's health is fine," team president Randy Levine said in response to Sheffield. "It's a nice thing for him to be concerned about the Boss' health."

Spokesman Howard Rubenstein said that Steinbrenner, after being informed of Sheffield's comments, said he would let Swindal and Levine speak for him.

Swindal, Levine, Cashman and Yankees special adviser Reggie Jackson appeared at a news conference to announce the club and Mandalay Baseball were taking over operation of the Class-A Staten Island Yankees of the New York-Penn League.

Cashman said teams had stopped contacting him to find out whether the Yankees would trade Alex Rodriguez.

"He's not going anywhere," Cashman said.

Cashman declined to discuss Sheffield's remarks, but Levine was pointed in reminding everyone that Sheffield does not have a no-trade clause.

"He's trying to pretend that he does," Levine said, who called Sheffield's remarks "a lot of noise."

"If we decide to trade him in the best interest of the Yankees, he'll be traded," Levine said.

ROUNDUP DREW GOES FREE: Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder J.D. Drew opted out of the final three years of his contract yesterday, making him an unrestricted free agent. Drew, who turns 31 tomorrow, hit .283 with 20 homers and 100 RBIs last season -- his second with the Dodgers. He signed a five-year, $55 million contract on Dec. 23, 2004, and had been guaranteed $33 million over the next three years with Los Angeles.

GLAVINE CHOOSES FREE AGENCY: Pitcher Tom Glavine filed for free agency yesterday and won't exercise an option to return to the New York Mets for next season at a $7.5-million salary, his agent, Gregg Clifton, said. Glavine, who went 15-7 with a 3.82 earned-run average for New York, had to decide by tomorrow about his option. The Mets have until Nov. 20 to decide on their option to bring him back in 2007 at $14 million.

BLACK TO PADRES: The San Diego Padres hired Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Bud Black as manager, two weeks after letting Bruce Bochy leave to take the same position with the San Francisco Giants.

TIGERS NAME McCLENDON: Former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon was hired as hitting coach of the Detroit Tigers yesterday. McClendon, who served as Detroit's bullpen coach last year, replaces Don Slaught, who resigned six days ago after a year on the job.

NEW PARK FOR A's: The Oakland Athletics have reached a deal with Cisco Systems Inc. to build a ballpark in southern Fremont, according to city officials who met with the team's owner. The agreement would create a 32,000- to 35,000-seat ballpark to be named Cisco Field on a 143-acre parcel held by the company.

CUBS INK MILLER: Wade Miller, who missed most of last season recovering from shoulder surgery, agreed yesterday to a one-year contract to stay with the Chicago Cubs. The 30-year-old right-hander made five starts at the end of the season for the Cubs, going 0-2 with a 4.57 E.R.A.