Yankees ask: Hey brother, can you spare $370 million for our stadium?

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LAS VEGAS -- Here’s how bad the economy is: The New York Yankees are asking for money.

The Associated Press, citing New York City’s Economic Development Corporation, said the team has filed a request for an additional $259 million in tax-exempt bonds and $111 million in taxable bonds to fund its new $1.3-billion stadium in the Bronx. That’s on top of the $965 million in bonds the team has already received.

The additional cost to the public for the use of tax-exempt bonds is estimated at about $16 million -- or about $6.3 million less than the Yankees have offered, per year, to free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia.

The Mets, who Monday night offered a $37-million contract to former Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez, are also asking the city for more cash for its new Queens ballpark, seeking an additional $83 million. They’ve already received $615 million for their $800-million ballpark, to be called Citi Field. The title is appropriate since Citigroup, which paid for the naming rights, recently received $45 billion in taxpayer money as part of the government’s bailout of failed financial institutions.

-- Kevin Baxter