http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/03/sp...pagewanted=all

Cashman said he would still like to acquire more bullpen help, and while he did not name specific players, the Yankees have shown interest in the left-hander Mike Myers and the right-hander Julian Tavarez, among other free agents.

The trade market could also yield relievers, with talks expected to intensify at the winter meetings next week.

The Yankees will also explore deals for a center fielder, and they have not discounted Florida's Juan Pierre. The Yankees have told the Marlins they will not trade second baseman Robinson Cano or pitcher Chien-Ming Wang for Pierre, but it stands to reason that the Marlins could lower their asking price.

The Marlins want to stockpile young pitching, and they dealt second baseman Luis Castillo to Minnesota yesterday for two pitching prospects. The Yankees would probably be interested in Pierre for a similar price.

The speedy Pierre covers a lot of ground in center field, but his arm may be no stronger than Bernie Williams's and his on-base percentage last season was a career-low .326. Still, Pierre has a much longer track record than Bubba Crosby, and because he is unsigned past next season, the Yankees could use him for a year and then pursue Andruw Jones in free agency next winter.

Cashman said he would continue to search for help in center field, but he insisted the Yankees could thrive with Crosby.

"Right now, our mind-set has got to be, it's Bubba Crosby on paper, or somebody else that comes into camp, whether it's from our system or a non-roster invite," Cashman said. "At this point, that's where it's coming from. We have an offense that's eight-people strong that can support one of these fly-ball catchers, at the very least."