Regarding a trade for Abbott, Michael said, "He is good and we want him, but I don't get myself thinking he is the only pitcher out there."

The Yankees temporarily avoided a logjam in right field between O'Neill and Tartabull by saying O'Neill would probably play both left and right next season. O'Neill, regarded as one of the better right fielders in the National League, played all three outfield positions in the minor leagues and said he would be receptive to playing anywhere for the Yankees.

"You come to spring training with your cleats and your glove and you do what you are told," said O'Neill who has knocked in 411 runs in 799 career games. "Hopefully, they have big plans for me. I want to go out and play and put up big numbers." Slump for O'Neill

In O'Neill, the Yankees are getting a player who struggled this past season after compiling his best career numbers in 1991. O'Neill batted .246 with 14 homers and 66 r.b.i. in 1992, after hitting .256 with 28 homers and 91 r.b.i. the year before.

Of his 41 homers over the last two seasons, 37 were hit against righties and he sported only a .225 average against lefties in 1992.

The Yankees will lose one of their main sources of speed without Kelly, who had a decent season in 1992, when he hit .272 with 10 homers and 66 r.b.i. But he failed to have the breakout season the Yankees expected and the team was not pleased with his attitude after he was shifted from center field to left field when Bernie Williams was promoted full-time to center.

In 638 career games with the Yankees, Kelly batted .280 with 56 homers, 258 r.b.i. and 151 stolen bases.