NEW YORK YANKEES

2005 finish: 95-67, 1^st place in AL East 

Manager: Joe Torre (11^th season)

Free agents: RHP Tom Gordon, RHP Kevin Brown, OF Matt Lawton, OF Bernie Williams, C John Flaherty, DH Ruben Sierra, 1B/DH Tino Martinez, LHP Al Leiter, LHP Alan Embree, RHP Felix Rodriguez, RHP Ramiro Mendoza, IF Rey Sanchez

On the block: C Jorge Posada, RHP Jaret Wright

Looking for: Center fielder, relievers, first baseman or DH, starting pitcher, bench help

What’s going on: Compared to what’s going on up the road in Boston, the Yankees seem downright boring this winter. All they’ve done is hire a bunch of ex-managers for Joe Torre’s remade coaching staff – Larry Bowa, Tony Pena, Lee Mazzilli and Joe Kerrigan, along with Ron Guidry. They also have done the expected and re-signed Hideki Matsui for four years and $52 million, keeping him out of free agency. The biggest need remains a center fielder. That could lead them to free agents Johnny Damon and Brian Giles, or a trade for Milton Bradley. They also are expected to make an offer to B.J. Ryan to become a setup man for Mariano Rivera. Most of the long list of free agents aren’t expected back, but they exercised an option on Tanyon Sturtze, and backup catcher John Flaherty also is likely to return. Bernie Williams also could be back at a reduced rate and in a reduced role. Tom Gordon could get a closer job elsewhere, or return to his setup role. Matt Lawton has the stain of a positive steroid test on him now, and might not be back. The bench must be restocked. Tino Martinez and Al Leiter could retire.

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