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Yanks look at changes on horizon

Win or lose this postseason, a shakeup appears imminent.

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 12, 2001

NEW YORK -- Scott Brosius was coming off a .203 batting average when the Yankees acquired him from Oakland in 1997 as part of a trade that sent pitcher Kenny Rogers to the Athletics.

Four years later, Brosius has three World Series championships, a Gold Glove at third base and a link to a memorable run of success for one of the most storied franchises in sports. Not bad for a throw-in.

While Brosius has derived fulfillment from the Yankees' run of three title, this might be his last chance at a title in New York. He's not alone.

The Yankees, 5-3 losers to Oakland in Game 1 of the AL division series, may be in for changes regardless of how they fare in the postseason. Paul O'Neill, Tino Martinez, Chuck Knoblauch and Brosius, central figures in the team's recent success, are questionable to return in 2002.

O'Neill and Brosius went hitless against Oakland on Wednesday, while Martinez hit a two-run homer and Knoblauch contributed a run-scoring single.

O'Neill, 38, is considering retirement this winter. Knoblauch, who hit .250 out of the leadoff spot, didn't give the Yankees much production in leftfield for his $6-million salary.

Although Martinez is coming off a strong season, with a .280 batting average and a team-leading 34 homers and 113 RBI, the Yankees have other options at first base.

One potential expensive alternative is Oakland's Jason Giambi, the 2000 AL MVP and a free agent after the season. If the Yankees want to take a younger and cheaper route, they can hand the job to 23-year-old Nick Johnson, one of the organization's top prospects.

The picture is even more jumbled because the uncertainty extends into the front office. Manager Joe Torre and general manager Brian Cashman are at the end of their contracts, and owner George Steinbrenner has given no indication if they'll return.

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