BASEBALL NOTEBOOK: BANK ON IT, BASEBALL SALARIES NOW AVERAGE $1.9 MILLION.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

Even before Alex Rodriguez's record payday, baseball players had a boom year at the bank.

The average salary soared 17 1/2 percent to $1,895,630, according to the annual survey released Wednesday by the Major League Baseball Players Association.

The New York Yankees had the highest average salary for the second straight year and the sixth time in seven seasons. A year after becoming the first team to break the $3 million barrier, the Yankees averaged $3,656,542 as they won their third straight World Series title, up from $3,215,660 in 1999.

Three other teams topped $3 million: the Dodgers ($3,141,883), Atlanta Braves ($3,127,992) and NL-champion New York Mets ($3,115,549).

Minnesota had the lowest average at $601,680, with Montreal 29th at $767,420 and Kansas City 28th at $798,242. The Royals had the lowest average in 1999, $534,460.

First basemen were the highest-paid players, averaging $4,996,933. They were followed by outfielders ($3,480,792), designated hitters ($3,366,872), second basemen ($3,158,209), starting pitchers ($3,064,021), catchers ($2,767,726), shortstops ($2,504,993), third basemen ($2,484,428) and relief pitchers ($1,220,412).

--Bordick back in Baltimore: The Baltimore Orioles welcomed a familiar face, agreeing to a two-year contract with free-agent shortstop Mike Bordick worth about $9.5 million.

Bordick spent 3 1/2 seasons with the Orioles before being traded to the New York Mets in July.

Bordick hit a combined .285 with the Mets and Orioles, setting career highs with 20 home runs and 80 RBI. He hit .297 with 16 homers and 59 RBI in Baltimore, but his production tailed off shortly after he joined the Mets.

--Rangers talk with Cone: The Texas Rangers have turned their focus to upgrading the worst pitching staff in baseball.

General manager Doug Melvin met for 3 1/2 hours with free-agent right- hander David Cone. Melvin planned to talk with the pitcher's agent in the next few days but said no offers have been made.

--Tigers sign two: Infielder Shane Halter and pitcher Steve Sparks agreed to one-year contracts with the Detroit Tigers, avoiding salary arbitration.

Halter, 31, made 60 starts for the Tigers last season. He batted .261 and had a career-high 26 runs, 62 hits and 27 RBI.

In the Tigers' last game against Minnesota in October, Halter became the fourth major-leaguer to play all nine positions in a game. He went 4 for 5 at the plate and capped his adventure by scoring the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Tigers over the Twins 12-11.

Sparks was selected AL pitcher of the month in August after going 5-0 with a 1.69 ERA with the Tigers.