BOSTON - While the Red Sox are trying to reverse the curse that supposedly has kept them from winning a World Series since 1918, Yankees officials are spending the weekend trying to avoid the curses of owner George Steinbrenner.
Though Steinbrenner said GM Brian Cashman would not be fired (which, to some, was his punishment), there will be significant work to do when Yankees officials convene in Tampa later this week, trying to reshape a roster loaded with bloated contracts and numerous questions.
There is considerable speculation the Yankees will go hard for centerfielder Carlos Beltran, though offense is not their priority. "Pitching," Cashman said.
First the Yankees have to sort through what they have. They're probably stuck with Kevin Brown, whom they owe $15-million. They have to figure out why Javier Vazquez has been nothing like the ace they envisioned, and one they have to pay $34.5-million over the next three years. They have to decide whether to pick up an $8-million option on Jon Lieber, and whether to re-sign Orlando Hernandez.
Then they can see who's available. It might be a good idea to sign some strong young pitchers, with Carl Pavano and Eric Milton at the top of the list. Or they may try again to recapture the past and bring back David Wells or even Roger Clemens.
More intriguing options would be signing Al Leiter away from the Mets or Pedro Martinez away from the Red Sox, or rekindling talks with the new Arizona owners about Randy Johnson.
If they sign Beltran, they will have a serious glut of expensive players. Bernie Williams (due $15.5-million) probably would be moved to DH, which means they have to hope Jason Giambi (due $82-million over the next four years) can return to first base. Plus, Hideki Matsui is going into the last year of his contract.
There also may be changes in the coaching staff.
Bench coach Willie Randolph could be headed crosstown to take over as manager of the Mets (where there is some talk he'd try to hire Rays senior adviser Don Zimmer as his bench coach). If Randolph leaves, they could hire former catcher Joe Girardi or move hitting coach Don Mattingly to the bench and hire a hitting coach.
Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre hasn't said if he wants to return, and there is some uncertainty over the status of bullpen coach Rich Monteleone.
And the early word is they have to keep the payroll down - at least under $200-million.
FASHION PLATES: The Rays have made it into GQ magazine, but it's not because of Aubrey Huff's sartorial selections. In its November issue, the magazine lists the Rays' original multihued uniforms as one of the worst of all time.
"The idea, however misguided, was that the Rays' multicolored jersey logo reflected the colors of the sea," Paul Lukas writes. "Apparently nobody noticed that it looked like a really bad 1970s airbrush painting. After three years, it was mercifully retired."
Others on the worst-dressed list include 1960-61 Broncos, the 1981-2003 Bengals and the 1975-86 Astros. No mention, however, of the "Creamsicle" Bucs.
RAYS RUMBLINGS: According to the Sun-Sentinel, former Rays scouting director Dan Jennings may leave the Marlins front office, which is in major turmoil. ... In its annual Baseball for the Ages report, Baseball America named Delmon Young the top 18-year-old in the game and B.J. Upton the best 19-year-old. (Upton's brother, Justin, was named the top 16-year-old.) The magazine also named OF Carl Crawford the top 22-year-old. ... Hickory (N.C.) manager Dave Clark told Baseball America of Young: "The ball just sounds good off his bat. I thought I saw a lot of Albert Belle in him as a hitter." ... Joey Gathright is hitting .342 with eight stolen bases through 10 games in the Arizona Fall League. Pete LaForest is on the injured list after playing one game.
MISCELLANY: Jim Riggleman is a good addition to the Mets' list of candidates. ... The Phillies are planning to interview Buddy Bell, Jim Fregosi, Terry Pendleton and John Russell this week. ... The Diamondbacks are down to three candidates: minor-league manager Wally Backman, ex-Mariners manager Bob Melvin and Expos third-base coach Manny Acta. ... The Cubs will decline their $11-million option on Moises Alou, making him a free agent and freeing up money for a bid for Beltran. ... The Dodgers are expected to pursue Pirates catcher Jason Kendall.
Information from other news organizations was used in the report.
