Wang, Yankees Arbitration Bound

According to the Journal News, the Yankees and Chien-Ming Wang are headed to an arbitration hearing to determine the 19-game winner's 2008 salary.

General manager Brian Cashman said yesterday he expects the team will need a hearing to settle its differences with ace right-hander Chien-Ming Wang.

"There have been talks, but they haven't been productive," Cashman said. "Unless something changes dramatically, we'll see them at the hearing."

The hearing is scheduled for Thursday in St. Petersburg, Fla., the same day Wang is scheduled to report to training camp in Tampa. The 27-year-old has been working out with a trainer in Arizona for the last two weeks.

Cashman and agent Alan Nero have discussed terms for Wang since the end of last season. But no deal could be reached, and the sides entered the arbitration process last month. The Yankees submitted $4 million, and Nero $4.6 million.

Wang is 38-13 with a 3.67 ERA over the past two years, probably enough clout to win him his arbitration hearing.