AMERICAN LEAGUE Yankees brace for changes

Owner George Steinbrenner has summoned his top brass for a meeting in Tampa.
NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Yankees know changes are coming. That's about all they can be sure of right now.
"We always make additions, subtractions, we do all kinds of things here," captain Derek Jeter said Monday. "So you learn and you wait until spring training to see what team you have, but I'm sure we're going to have an opportunity to win again."
Two days after New York lost the World Series to the Florida Marlins in six games, nine players filtered into the Yankee Stadium clubhouse to clear out their things on a rainy afternoon. Cardboard boxes packed with bats and gloves were piled all around a quiet room.
Manager Joe Torre, general manager Brian Cashman and president Randy Levine were among several officials summoned by owner George Steinbrenner for meetings at the team's training complex in Tampa, Fla.
"I have nothing to say," Steinbrenner said to a reporter after leaving the team's minor league complex. "Why are you standing here?"
Choatic off-season expected
It's the start of what could be a chaotic off-season, with plenty of decisions to be made about who will stay and who will go.
There is speculation that All-Star second baseman Alfonso Soriano, who slumped during the postseason, might be moved to the outfield or even traded.
This year's free agent class features plenty of big names, including Vladimir Guerrero and Gary Sheffield. Either would fill New York's hole in right field quite nicely -- probably at a heavy price.
And one of the most attractive players eligible for free agency is Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte. Experienced and effective under pressure, he would leave a big void in the starting rotation if he signed elsewhere.
"I would like to see him back, definitely," Jeter said. "But once again, it's a business and I'm sure a lot of things are going to be taken under consideration, not only on the part of our organization, but on Andy's part as well."
Hitting coach Rick Down is expected to be out after the Yankees batted .140 (7-for-50) with runners in scoring position during the World Series, though Jeter said that's not Down's fault.
"Rick Down is not in the box with us. Rick works hard," Jeter said.
Zimmer won't return
Bench coach Don Zimmer has already said several times he won't be back, citing Steinbrenner as the reason.
"Zim's been saying he was going to quit since '96," Jeter said, though he acknowledged that this time it seems it really will happen.
"He's been one of the constants. When you think of Mr. T, his sidekick is Zim, like Batman and Robin. He's meant a lot."
Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, who has considered retirement after previous seasons, isn't sure if he wants to return.
"I feel personally abused," he said Sunday, when the first batch of Yankees showed up to clear out.
Steinbrenner had no comments Monday, spokesman Howard Rubenstein said when asked if the owner wanted to respond to Zimmer and Stottlemyre.
David Wells didn't have much to say, either.
Dressed in a jogging suit, he gathered his things and left the ballpark without speaking to reporters. All that was left in his locker were three bats, a sock and dangling hangers.