While George Steinbrenner’s Inner Circle finalizes plans to lure Jason Giambi to The Bronx by the end of the week, there are other areas Yankee brass is looking to strengthen.

And while they don’t have a legitimate leadoff hitter or a left fielder, the Yanks have interest in bolstering the rear of the rotation by bringing back Sterling Hitchcock.

GM Brian Cashman has had several talks with Tommy Tanzer, Hitchcock’s agent.

“Sterling is going to have a lot of choices but he knows there is no better place,” Tanzer said of Hitchcock re-upping with the Yankees, for whom he was 4-4 with a 6.49 ERA in 10 games (nine starts).

The Brewers, Rangers, Orioles, Phillies and Red Sox have interest in the 30-year-old lefty, who had Tommy John surgery on his elbow June 6, 2000. Hitchcock, who made $5 million last year, is 4-0 with a 1.76 ERA in nine post-season games (four starts).

Like a lot of free-agent starters, Hitchcock has some questions for the Yankees. How interested are they in David Wells? What are they going to do with El Duque Hernandez?

While some Yankee decision-makers are lukewarm on bringing back Wells, Steinbrenner is intrigued with the idea so Boomer II can’t be counted out. Even with Wells being 39 in May and coming off back surgery. As for El Duque, who is arbitration eligible for the first time, the Yankees are going to offer him a contract.

Immediately after being acquired from the Padres on July 31, Hitchcock’s arm strength wasn’t there and produced a very hittable 82 mph fastball. However, by the end of the season – and especially in the World Series – the zip had returned and he was clocked between 88 and 90 mph.

In two World Series appearances, Hitchcock hurled four scoreless innings, allowing one hit and fanning six. He was the winner in Game 5.