Duncan Elects for Free Agency: MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports that after being outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Shelley Duncan has elected to become a free agent. Good luck, Shelley.

Cashman Talking to Yanks FAs First: Brian Cashman spoke to Hoch and told him that he'll talk to the Yankees free agents before talking to any others. Once he has, he'll "be full-blown into the marketplace."

Jon Weber Signed: Ken Davidoff reports that the Yankees have inked 31 year old career minor leaguer Jon Weber (stats) to minor league deal that includes an invitation to major league spring training. Last year, while playing for the Triple-A Durham Bills, he hit .302 with 14 home runs, 69 RBIs and a .382 OBA in 117 games. Via Chad Jennings.

Yankees Add Seven to 40-Man Roster: Finally, this happened almost a week ago while I was traveling, but I wanted to highlight it anyway: the Yankees added seven players to their 40-man roster according to Jennings, in order to protect them from the Rule 5 draft. They are RHP Hector Noesi, RHP Ivan Nova, RHP Romulo Sanchez, INF Reegie Corona, INF Eduardo Nunez, INF Kevin Russo and OF Austin Jackson. This gives them 39 players on the roster.

In a pair of solid follow up pieces, Jennings explains what this could mean for roster flexibility and what the one spot on the roster could allow the team to do (it allows them to actually participate in the Rule 5 draft, for one).