SAN FRANCISCO — GM Brian Cashman, Joe Torre and his coaches planned to meet during the Yankees’ charter flight to Anaheim last night and discuss what the two-time defending World Champions’ roster will look like when it’s announced today at a workout.
Expected to come out of that pow-wow is the addition of veteran outfielder Lance Johnson to give the Yankees a late-game pinch-running threat, something the Yankees haven’t had since Homer Bush filled that role so well in 1998.
Johnson, 36, played in his second straight Triple-A game yesterday in Tampa for Columbus against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and went 2-for-4 with a stolen base. Released by the Indians on Thursday, the 13-year career .291 hitter, has been working on a minor league contract with the Yankees. “We will have more time to talk,” Cashman said yesterday. “We will set the club [today].”
While Torre said he will carry 11 pitchers and that lefty reliever Allen Watson is healthy enough to start the season, Torre didn’t reveal the identity of his 11th pitcher although right-hander Todd Erdos is expected to get the nod over Darrell Einertson because Erdos is out of options and Einertson isn’t.
If Johnson is added, Jon Zuber’s won’t stick as a left-handed pinch-hitter and will report to Columbus. With Cashman saying the final roster will be comprised of players from “within” it’s not likely the Yankees can acquire a catcher such as Houston’s Paul Bako, who was the subject of discussions with the Astros. That means Jim Leyritz is the backup catcher. Clay Bellinger and Wilson Delgado are the utility infielders.
“We can make a decision now and then change our mind in three weeks,” Torre said. “We have the ability to do that.”
That’s true in every situation but Johnson’s since he won’t go to Columbus if he doesn’t make the Yankees.
Home runs by Paul O’Neill , Jorge Posada and Roberto Kelly carried the Yankees to a 11-6 victory over the Giants last night at Pac Bell Park.
The Yankees finished their spring season 13-20 and won seven of their last 10.
Bernie Williams continues to wear a mountain of ice on his right shoulder before and after games. Yet, he insists the tiredness he feels in the wing is nothing more than him doing too much spring-training throwing. Williams was scratched from last night’s game.
Paul O’Neill’s left knee, which bothered him early this spring, is fine but his back has been acting up lately. But not enough to keep him out of the lineup.
Cashman talked to agent Alan Hendricks yesterday about released lefty reliever Norm Charlton. While there is no room on the big league club for the veteran Charlton, there is some interest in signing him to a Triple-A contract if he doesn’t land big league work. Charlton was released by the Devil Rays on Friday.
