TAMPA - The Yankees wrapped up the latest round of organizational meetings Friday, but the most important news to come out of the team's training complex didn't come from any conference room. Chien-Ming Wang threw off a mound for the first time since suffering a major foot injury in June, taking another step toward a return in 2009. Wang, who suffered a ligament sprain and partially tore a tendon while running the bases in a game against the Astros on June 15, threw 25 pitches during the bullpen session, reporting no problems. Wang also threw 20 pitches from halfway up the mound while warming up. "It's better," Wang told The Associated Press. "It's good." Wang is one of the few certainties in the Yankees' 2009 starting rotation, which is one of the team's primary areas of need to address this winter. Hank Steinbrenner said Thursday that Joba Chamberlain would work as a starter from the beginning of 2009, though the Yankees likely will figure out a plan to skip him from time to time in order to keep his innings count down. General manager Brian Cashman had little to report about the meetings when reached by e-mail, saying all was "quiet" as he prepared to board a flight back to New York. Joe Girardi, who also attended the meetings, did not return an e-mail message. CC Sabathia is expected to top the Yankees' free-agent wish list, as the Bombers look to add a big arm to the top of the rotation. Other targets include A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe and Ben Sheets, though none is as appealing as Sabathia, who won the American League Cy Young award in 2007. First base must also be addressed in the coming months, with Mark Teixeira atop the list of free agents. The Angels figure to make a big push to keep Teixeira after dealing for him during the season, while the Orioles are also said to be very interested in the slugger. The Yankees have roughly $85 million in payroll coming off the books this year thanks to the expiring contracts of Jason Giambi, Bobby Abreu, Carl Pavano, Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina and Ivan Rodriguez. Giambi, Abreu, Pavano and Rodriguez are expected to sign elsewhere, while Pettitte has reportedly expressed interest in returning for another season. Mussina hasn't decided whether he wants to play in 2009 or retire, but his situation likely will influence whether the Yankees opt to re-sign Pettitte. The Padres have also started to field calls about a potential trade for Jake Peavy, last year's National League Cy Young winner, but the 27-year-old - who has a full no-trade clause - is likely to remain in the NL. The Yankees likely would have to offer a package centering on either Robinson Cano or Phil Hughes. http://tinyurl.com/5ht6n5 --

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