Needing space on their 40-man roster for all the free agents they will eventually sign, the Yankees today declined to tender 2009 contracts to outfielder Justin Christian and reliever Chris Britton. Those players become free agents, and they are eligible to re-sign with the Yankees.
Britton had a 5.09 ERA in 15 relief appearances over seven stints with the Yankees.
Christian hit .250 with six RBI and seven stolen bases in 24 games.