Rich Aurilia not ready to retire, hopes for a final season with Mets or Yankees
POSTED BY ANDREW BAGGARLY ON FEBRUARY 2ND

For at least a year, and probably two, it�^TMs been tacked on the bulletin board in the Giants clubhouse: A doctored-up, photocopied picture of the �oeRat Pack,” with new identities for Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.

Specifically, the tuxedoed entertainers�^TM heads were replaced with smiling images of Dave Roberts, Randy Winn and Rich Aurilia.The three veteran players were fast friends on and off the field, virtually inseparable until the business of baseball intervened, as it inevitably does. Early last spring, the Giants gave Roberts his outright release. Aurilia made it through to the end of the season, only because he agreed to go on the disabled list a couple times with phantom injuries. And now Winn�^TMs departure is official; he signed a one-year contract with the Yankees last week.

But there�^TMs still a chance two members of the new �oeRat Pack” will reunite �" in New York, appropriately enough.

Aurilia, despite his emotional sendoff in the Giants�^TM final homestand last October, said he isn�^TMt ready to walk away from the game yet. He�^TMs been working out for the past two months, taking swings and doing baseball work, hoping a team will toss a minor league deal his way and invite him to spring training.

But he wouldn�^TMt play for just any team. He has two in mind, both of which would allow the Brooklyn native to close the circle on his life in double knits. And while he doesn�^TMt expect the Yankees or Mets to give him a locker, they haven�^TMt said no, either.

�oeWe know nothing is imminent, but hopefully we keep in contact with them,” said Aurilia, who played at St. John�^TMs. �oeIt�^TMs just been preliminary, but they said there could be some interest down the road. So I�^TMm concentrating more on just making sure my body is ready. I still have the desire to compete and play. I can contribute. I�^TMve been throwing, swinging the bat and actually feel pretty good.”

There�^TMs a reason for that, Aurilia said. The 38-year-old infielder said he played so sparingly last season that he basically gave his body a year off.

�oeRegardless of what the transactions said, I was healthy,” said Aurilia, who went on the DL twice after July 21 for what the Giants described as an infected toe and ankle tendinitis. �oeI finished my career in San Francisco, but at the same time I�^TMm not ready to hang �^~em up on that note that I left. I know I can do better than that. I want to be able to say I can exhaust all my options and work hard to play one more. Conversely, I�^TMm prepared that if nothing pops up, I�^TMll move on with the next phase of my life.”

Aurilia said he enjoyed providing commentary for Comcast and would be open to doing more. He�^TMs also approached Giants president Larry Baer about a role within the organization at some point.

But first, he�^TMd love one chance to play for the New York nine �" and if he�^TMs reunited with Winn, his lounge partner, all the better.

• http://blogs.mercurynews.com/extrabaggs/2010/02/02/rich-aurilia-not-ready-to-retire-hopes-for-a-final-season-with-mets-or-yankees/