2 Yankees Seek Trades

In a sign that the euphoria surrounding the New York Yankees’ World Series title may be ending quickly, Cecil Fielder and Charlie Hayes have filed formal trade demands.

Unless they are withdrawn, baseball’s rules give the Yankees until March 15 to trade them. If they aren’t traded by that date, the players could declare immediate free agency. If they do that, the Yankees wouldn’t have to pay their 1997 salaries.

“Cecil is entering the last year of his contract, and he just wants to be assured of his playing time,” said Fielder’s agent, Bob Gilhooley.

Fielder hit .252 last season with 39 homers and 117 RBIs in 160 games, including 53 with the Yankees following his July 31 trade from Detroit. He provided New York with a power threat it was lacking, and hit .391 against in the World Series (9 for 23). He drove in eight runs against Baltimore in the league championship series, homering twice.

Fielder, 33, is signed for 1997 at $7.2 million, the final season of a five-year deal worth $36,187,500. The high salary makes him hard to move, unless the Yankees are willing to pay a large part of it.

Hayes, acquired from Pittsburgh on Aug. 30, is signed for 1997 at $1.5 million. While he’d like to play every day, Hayes is willing to be a backup behind Wade Boggs - if he gets a contract extension.

Hayes, 31, hit .284 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 20 games with the Yankees. In 128 games with Pittsburgh, he hit .248 with 10 homers and 62 RBIs.