WORLD SERIES NOTEBOOK
MIAMI – The best free agent in the upcoming class isn’t scared of New York. So put down the Yankees as a team that will be interested in stud outfielder Vladimir Guerrero when the signing season opens later this fall.
According to several acquaintances of Guerrero’s, he isn’t wary of New York’s bright lights and more than willing to listen to offers by the Yankees and Mets.
“It’s out there that he would shy away from New York if he leaves Montreal but that’s not the case,” a friend of Guerrero’s said. “What it comes down to is he wants to win, and that’s a priority in New York.”
Guerrero, 27, made $11.5 million this past year when he batted .330 with 25 homers and 79 RBIs for the Expos. He was limited to 112 games due to a back injury.
With right field a question mark for next year, the Yankees will certainly gauge Guerrero’s interest in playing in The Bronx, where several of his close friends live within walking distance of Yankee Stadium.
Guerrero’s agent, Fernando Cuza, refused to speculate where his client would surface next year or what Guerrero would be looking for on the free-agent market which many experts predict will be sluggish. However, Guerrero is the top free agent and possibly the game’s best player and will command mega dollars.
The Mets are trying to reduce payroll but they need a right fielder.
Guerrero has expressed his love for Montreal, but MLB runs the team and MLB’s payroll restraints on the Expos won’t give them a strong chance of winning. And if they decide to unload pitcher Javier Vazquez and second baseman Jose Vidro, those chances vanish altogether even if Guerrero stays.
“[New York] would be great for him, he has a lot of family here, I am pretty sure he would feel comfortable,” Vidro said last month at Shea Stadium of Guerrero.
Gary Sheffield is another name sure to be mentioned but he will be 35 next month.
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George Steinbrenner arrived in South Florida in style, coming in on a rented 144-foot yacht with family and friends. The Boss was expected to watch last night’s action from a Pro Player luxury box.
Former Twins infielder Gary Gaetti is drawing interest from within the Yankee organization as either a possible replacement for hitting coach Rick Down or to fill the position of roving minor league hitting instructor that has been vacant since the since fired Gary Denbo was elevated to big-league hitting coach for the 2001 season.
Gaetti spent this year as the hitting coach for New Orleans, the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate and impressed people with his approach to teaching.
The Yankees have been talking to former major league manager Jim Lefebvre about the roving job and are close to making him an offer.
If Down is axed after two years, Chili Davis will be a candidate and Don Mattingly will be in the mix even if he isn’t sure about the timing.
STUD & DUD
Derek Jeter Dontrelle Willis
Three hits. No relief.
HOW THE YANKEES WON GAME 3
How the runs scored in Game 3 last night between Marlins and Yankees:
MARLINS FIRST: Mussina pitching. Pierre doubled to right-center. Castillo struck out swinging. Rodriguez flied out to right fielder Garcia. Cabrera singled to right, Pierre scored. Lee grounded out, first baseman Giambi to pitcher Mussina. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 1, Yankees 0.
YANKEES FOURTH: Soriano struck out swinging. Jeter doubled to left. Giambi walked. Williams popped out to shortstop Gonzalez. Matsui hit by pitch, Jeter to third, Giambi to second. Posada walked, Jeter scored, Giambi to third, Matsui to second. Garcia grounded out to first baseman Lee. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 3 left on. Yankees 1, Marlins 1.
YANKEES EIGHTH: Soriano struck out swinging. Jeter doubled to right. Dontrelle Willis pitching. Giambi walked. Williams flied out to center fielder Pierre, Jeter to third. Matsui singled to left, Jeter scored, Giambi to second. David Dellucci pinch-ran for Giambi. Posada walked, Dellucci to third, Matsui to second. Chad Fox pitching. Ruben Sierra, pinch-hitting for Garcia, struck out swinging. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Yankees 2, Marlins 1.
YANKEES NINTH: Boone homered to left on 0-1 count. Johnson grounded out, first baseman Lee to pitcher Fox. Soriano walked. Braden Looper pitching. Jeter hit by pitch, Soriano to second. Dellucci flied out to left fielder Conine. Williams homered to center on 2-1 pitch, Soriano scored, Jeter scored. Matsui struck out looking. 4 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 6, Marlins 1.