YOUNG for old, especially old pitchers, has been the Yankee problem.

It is why Yhency Brazoban, 24 is averaging a strikeout an inning for the Dodgers rather than apprenticing under Mariano Rivera. The Yanks just had to have Kevin Brown, now age 40 and owner of the majors’ worst batting average against (.325).

It is why Brad Halsey, 24, and Javier Vazquez, 28, are a combined 9-5 with a 3.33 ERA for Arizona while Randy Johnson’s Big Useless act has chilled the Yankees since he is signed through age 44.

Which brings us to Roger Clemens, the majors’ oldest starter. He turns 43 four days after the July 31 trade deadline. Houston GM Tim Purpura said again last week, “[Clemens] is not on the market and I don’t see us putting him on the market.” Yet the rumors persist. The Astros stink and Clemens is great, expensive and not desirous of spending his real twilight on a non-contender. Also, Clemens has an understanding with Astro owner Drayton McLane that he could be moved to the Yanks if Houston is not in the race.

A published report last week suggested Clemens also would consider the Rangers. And while it has always been strongly denied, Clemens going full circle back to Boston has the theatrics the Rocket loves.

The general consensus around the majors is the Astros are so bad they should trade Clemens, but that McLane would not do it because, as one NL executive put it, “No one will show up to watch their games if Clemens is not there. It is an event when he pitches and the owner knows that.” Purpura said, “If a player wants to talk about something, we talk about it. We are that kind of organization that will listen to players, but we’ll do what is best for the Astros … We have had absolutely no discussions about rebuilding and it is not in our owner’s nature to talk about rebuilding.”

It is not in the Yankee owner’s nature either, so Clemens is on the radar. But should he be? Clemens is due an additional $3 million if traded. So should he be obtained July 31, Clemens would be owed roughly $9.45 million for about 11 starts. That is approximately $860,000 a start for the final 70 innings of a 220-inning season on a 43-year-old arm against AL lineups.

But this would be no salary dump. McLane will not deal the most alluring athlete in Houston for Scott Proctor and Andy Phillips. The Yanks have just three well-regarded prospects in Double-A third baseman Eric Duncan, Single-A starter Philip Hughes and Single-A shortstop Marcos Vechionacci. In addition, Robinson Cano and Chien-Ming Wang have raised their value, and Sean Henn is in the midst of 29 consecutive scoreless innings at Triple-A.

Do you give up chips from a paltry system for 11 of the most expensive starts ever? And it is just 11 starts because Clemens is not returning to New York next year. Do you thin your already anorexic system further to have three of the six starters 40 or older, exacerbating what already is the Yanks’ problem: rising age/declining production? Do you ignore that your bigger on-field issues for 2005 are having Tony Womack as a full-time outfielder and lack of bullpen depth?

Speaking generally, not about Clemens, Yankee GM Brian Cashman acknowledged, “Over the next few years we need to make a concerted effort to get younger. We need to get payroll down, which means going younger. An all-veteran roster is too risky and too expensive.”

Hey, this issue might be solved by Clemens. He wants to go to a contender and is a team that gets swept in Kansas City really a contender?

DOWN THE LINE

Bombers might keep stars off World stage

The Yankees and the Commissioner’s office could be headed to an ugly confrontation over the inclusion of Yankee players in the World Baseball Classic. Derek Jeter, for example, already has been contacted by the Players Association about playing in the 16-team tournament next March and given his approval as long as the Yanks give their blessing.

The Yanks were the only one of 30 clubs not to vote for the tournament. MLB VP Rob Manfred and Yankee president Randy Levine have been discussing Yankee player participation. Manfred had MLB spokesman Rich Levin comment on his behalf, and Levin said, “We’ve had cooperation from all of the clubs.” When asked if that included the Yanks, Levin said, “That means the Yankees, they are one of all.”

But Yankee officials say while they keeping an open mind, they are leaning against letting their players participate. The Commissioner’s office and the Players Association are in unison that this is not a team decision. When asked the penalty for impeding players from participating, Levin said, “I don’t want to speculate on what would happen because I don’t anticipate that happening.”

George Steinbrenner has forbidden his minor leaguers from participating in the past two Olympics. Many Yankees, notably Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Randy Johnson, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Chien-Ming Wang likely will be asked to play for various countries.

The Mets have internally discussed giving former second baseman Victor Diaz a tutorial at first. His lack of concentration in the infield is one reason he was sent to the outfield. But the Mets crave more offense at the position than Doug Mientkiewicz has provided, and an AL executive who saw Diaz play third in the minors thinks Diaz can handle first. Met officials believe first base is a likely area to upgrade if they are contenders come July.

One name to watch is Milwaukee’s Lyle Overbay, who will be coveted by many teams. Brewer first base prospect Prince Fielder, son of Cecil, recently hit eight homers in 10 Triple-A games. “Prince is the real deal, he can really hit,” said Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash.

This has been a dreadful year for the brothers Boone. One executive who has watched Seattle second baseman Bret Boone said, “He is near done. He was always a guess hitter, but he is guessing more than ever. And he is real shaky at second base. He wants nothing to do with turning a double play. He looks like Tony Womack trying to turn double plays.” Boone had won the last three AL Gold Gloves at second, but his reputation was always better than the reality. He entered the weekend batting .242. And he is the Boone having a good year comparatively.

Indians third baseman Aaron Boone entered the weekend with the majors’ worst batting average (.154). The man he replaced and sent to the outfield, Casey Blake (.199) had the third worst average, still Cleveland is considering putting Blake back at third because Boone’s swing has been so messed up.