Yanks to decline arbitration on Pettitte, Damon, Matsui and Nady

The Yankees are expected to decline arbitration on free agents Andy Pettitte, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Xavier Nady, SI.com has learned.

New York would like to bring back Pettitte, Damon and Matsui in 2010, but don't want to pay the expensive salaries that would come through arbitration.

Damon and Matsui each made $13 million last season, so the Yankees are reluctant to go to arbitration and have to pay them each $15 million or more.

Pettitte made about $11 million including incentives and would be due a major raise in arbitration.