That is likely because the 34-year-old outfielder "was believed to be seeking an eight-figure annual salary on a multiyear deal," the site notes.

As one of baseball's low-revenue teams, the Reds usually are paring payroll, not expanding it with an eight-figure annual salary.

If he stays and is paid an eight-figure salary, the Yankees may have to cut corners elsewhere - perhaps at third base.

There would be a real question if the Yankees, or any team, would be willing to pay more than two or three stars eight-figure salaries in the near future.

Yankees officials have had philosophical discussions in the past about whether any first baseman is worth an eight-figure yearly salary.

That's why Jeter has to settle for an eight-figure salary while national figures like Jerry Seinfeld and Oprah Winfrey are well into nine figures.

He has not agreed to a deal with an eight-figure annual salary, as the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins and Boston Red Sox have.

The Orioles need Williams, but in the recent past, the Baltimore owner Peter Angelos has said he does not want to pay eight-figure salaries to anyone.

In Europe and South America, he is a high-profile athlete with an eight-figure annual salary.

The Knicks, for all of their marquee names and eight-figure salaries, still have no one regarded as a top-flight defender.