SARASOTA – Insisting George Steinbrenner isn’t in a salary dump mode, Brian Cashman dealt reliever Darren Holmes to Arizona and re-acquired pitcher Ben Ford as well as catcher Izzy Molina last night. The Yankees also sent the Diamondbacks cash.

Holmes, who was 0-3 with a 3.33 ERA in 34 games for the Yankees last year when he wasn’t part of the post-season roster, will make $1.4 million this year and $1.85 million next year. There is a $2.2 million option for 2001 or a $200,000 buyout.

Ford, a 23-year-old 6-foot-7, 200-pound right-hander, was a 20th-round draft pick in 1994 of the Yankees and was selected in the first round of the 1997 expansion draft by the Diamondbacks.

Molina, 27, has spent parts of the past three seasons in the big leagues with Oakland, hitting .203 with three homers and eight RBIs in 68 games.