Franchise Notes

MLB: In N.Y., George King reports that the "first casualty of the Yankees' financial belt-tightening is the cancellation of next week's mini-camp in Tampa for minor league players," as the Yankees "are looking to cut their budgets" by 25%. The Yankees "are expected to run their well-attended winter program that begins in January" (N.Y. POST, 9/13)....ESPN.com's Phil Rogers: "Some close to the [Astros] fret that management won't be able to sustain the status quo given Houston's shattered economy and the fight for advertising dollars. When [GM Gerry] Hunsicker had the resources to pull off the [Randy] Johnson trade, the Astros owned the sports marketplace. But that has changed since the NFL returned to town" (ESPN.com, 9/12)....The MLS MetroStars have entered into a partnership with German club Eintracht Frankfurt. As part of the partnership, both teams will have coaches visit the other's program for extended periods as a way to further develop and enhance each club's methods (MetroStars).