Yankee GM Brian Cashman said it on a conference call. A close friend of Greg Maddux insisted the Hall of Fame-bound pitcher doesn’t want to pitch on the East Coast. So, there is nothing to a report that Maddux and the Yankees are close to deal that would put Maddux in pinstripes.

Speaking on a conference call yesterday to officially announce the Alex Rodriguez trade, Cashman said Maddux, a free agent, wouldn’t be joining the Yankees, who have five starters and insist they aren’t about to add to a MLB-high payroll of $187.5 million.

According to a friend, Maddux had the chance to pitch for the Red Sox, who were interested in signing him but declined because he didn’t want to play for an East Coast team.

Instead, Maddux is likely to sign with the Cubs or the Dodgers shortly. The Cubs reportedly raised their initial offer of two years at $10 million (combined) to more like the $14 million to $15 million range.

As brilliant as Maddux has been, the Yankees have no room for him since they are committed to Mike Mussina, Javier Vazquez, Kevin Brown, Jose Contreras and Jon Lieber as their five starters.

Maddux turned down a Yankee offer in 1992 before signing with the Braves.

After the A-Rod signing, one Yankee official said, “We aren’t increasing the payroll one dollar.”