QUOTE
George's shopping list
1. PEDRO MARTINEZ
Pros: No question he can handle the atmosphere. Has less fastball so he is less dominant, but his craftsmanship and pitching brain keeps him elite. Helps Yanks, hurts Red Sox.
Cons: An enemy of the Yankee clubhouse, specifically catcher Jorge Posada. But the Yanks learned to love Roger Clemens. Expects to be treated differently, which is not the Joe Torre way. Fragile.
2. ERIC MILTON
Pros: Just turned 29. Lefty, but not one who dominates lefty hitters. Has pitched well in postseason. Originally drafted by Yanks and already has their logo tattooed on his back.
Cons: Has pitched poorly against Boston (2-5, 5.88). Allows too many homers and while his stuff has been good this year, questions linger about the knee injury that cost him most of 2003.
3. CARL PAVANO
Pros: Turns 29 this offseason. Grew up a Yankee fan in Connecticut, so he probably wants to come. Finally stayed healthy the last two years to show why he was once traded for Pedro Martinez. Pitched well in the playoffs last year, holding the Yanks to one run in nine innings in the World Series.
Cons: The injury history. Terrible against the team that drafted him, Boston: 1-2, 9.75 ERA, including a worse-than-Contreras six runs without recording an out in Fenway last year. Not dominating stuff, but has grown up and learned to use it effectively.
4. DAVID WELLS
Pros: Even if you hate him, you want him in October. Bulletproof to pressure. Lefty.
Cons: Has no fans in the clubhouse, including Torre. Always brings controversy. Turns 42 next May and steadily declining strikeout numbers may be a harbinger that the magic is fading.
5. ROGER CLEMENS
Pros: Loved being a Yankee (was interested in coming back in July) and wants to lead a staff. Still great after all these years.
Cons: Remember the age (42) and recognize the music will stop at some time. Will he want to give up his family in Houston for a whole year?
6. ODALIS PEREZ
Pros: Only 27. Lefty, but has great stuff and success against all hitters. Went into Fenway this year and held Boston to one run in eight innings.
Cons: Flaky, which means he could either thrive or plunge in The Bronx. Elbow problems in his past. We probably will see him pitch his first postseason games this year, which should go a long way to make a determination.
7. AL LEITER
Pros: Could go full circle back to the Yanks if Mets decide not to pick up $10 million option. Lefty. Can pitch in New York. Plenty of postseason experience.
Cons: Loves being a Met, and would not have the same power base in The Bronx. Is a five-inning pitcher in the NL. Turns 39 next month and is breaking down.
8. RUSS ORTIZ
Pros: Durable and 30 years old. Knack for wins. Plenty of postseason experience (good and bad).
Cons: Yanks like strike throwers and he walks too many. Kind of middle-of-the-rotation guy they already have.
9. MATT MORRIS
Pros: When right, he's an ace on a first-division club. From New York area. Great makeup. Plenty of postseason experience (good and bad).
Cons: Has been hurt a lot in recent years, and may never fully recover his stuff.
10. MATT CLEMENT
Pros: Yanks once almost obtained for Alfonso Soriano. Has matured in three years with Cubs, but still only 30. Electric stuff. A 3.60 ERA in 19 starts vs. AL teams (won only start in Boston, 6 2/3 IPs, two runs).
Cons: Probably not built emotionally for New York. Sketchy in playoffs last year.
1. PEDRO MARTINEZ
Pros: No question he can handle the atmosphere. Has less fastball so he is less dominant, but his craftsmanship and pitching brain keeps him elite. Helps Yanks, hurts Red Sox.
Cons: An enemy of the Yankee clubhouse, specifically catcher Jorge Posada. But the Yanks learned to love Roger Clemens. Expects to be treated differently, which is not the Joe Torre way. Fragile.
2. ERIC MILTON
Pros: Just turned 29. Lefty, but not one who dominates lefty hitters. Has pitched well in postseason. Originally drafted by Yanks and already has their logo tattooed on his back.
Cons: Has pitched poorly against Boston (2-5, 5.88). Allows too many homers and while his stuff has been good this year, questions linger about the knee injury that cost him most of 2003.
3. CARL PAVANO
Pros: Turns 29 this offseason. Grew up a Yankee fan in Connecticut, so he probably wants to come. Finally stayed healthy the last two years to show why he was once traded for Pedro Martinez. Pitched well in the playoffs last year, holding the Yanks to one run in nine innings in the World Series.
Cons: The injury history. Terrible against the team that drafted him, Boston: 1-2, 9.75 ERA, including a worse-than-Contreras six runs without recording an out in Fenway last year. Not dominating stuff, but has grown up and learned to use it effectively.
4. DAVID WELLS
Pros: Even if you hate him, you want him in October. Bulletproof to pressure. Lefty.
Cons: Has no fans in the clubhouse, including Torre. Always brings controversy. Turns 42 next May and steadily declining strikeout numbers may be a harbinger that the magic is fading.
5. ROGER CLEMENS
Pros: Loved being a Yankee (was interested in coming back in July) and wants to lead a staff. Still great after all these years.
Cons: Remember the age (42) and recognize the music will stop at some time. Will he want to give up his family in Houston for a whole year?
6. ODALIS PEREZ
Pros: Only 27. Lefty, but has great stuff and success against all hitters. Went into Fenway this year and held Boston to one run in eight innings.
Cons: Flaky, which means he could either thrive or plunge in The Bronx. Elbow problems in his past. We probably will see him pitch his first postseason games this year, which should go a long way to make a determination.
7. AL LEITER
Pros: Could go full circle back to the Yanks if Mets decide not to pick up $10 million option. Lefty. Can pitch in New York. Plenty of postseason experience.
Cons: Loves being a Met, and would not have the same power base in The Bronx. Is a five-inning pitcher in the NL. Turns 39 next month and is breaking down.
8. RUSS ORTIZ
Pros: Durable and 30 years old. Knack for wins. Plenty of postseason experience (good and bad).
Cons: Yanks like strike throwers and he walks too many. Kind of middle-of-the-rotation guy they already have.
9. MATT MORRIS
Pros: When right, he's an ace on a first-division club. From New York area. Great makeup. Plenty of postseason experience (good and bad).
Cons: Has been hurt a lot in recent years, and may never fully recover his stuff.
10. MATT CLEMENT
Pros: Yanks once almost obtained for Alfonso Soriano. Has matured in three years with Cubs, but still only 30. Electric stuff. A 3.60 ERA in 19 starts vs. AL teams (won only start in Boston, 6 2/3 IPs, two runs).
Cons: Probably not built emotionally for New York. Sketchy in playoffs last year.