Yankees’ Merrill Thinking Above .500

It came as no surprise to hear Stump Merrill speak highly of his team Saturday as trucks and buses were being loaded for the Yankees’ journey north. The last day of training camp also signals the end of one of baseball’s spring characteristics--unwarranted optimism.

Reality sets in Monday when the Yankees begin the season in Detroit. The work of the past six weeks is over, but for one last time the manager of a club that finished last the previous season with one of the worst records (67-95) in the history of the franchise was allowed to dream a bit.

“More wins than losses,” Merrill said about his expectations from the Yankees. “I believe contending in this division is a possibility. I hope to be a lot more happier on a lot more occasions.”

Merrill, by no means a good loser, talked in his office while the Yankees worked out after returning from West Palm Beach, where their final exhibition game, against the Montreal Expos, was canceled because of severe thunderstorms. Merrill wedged a thick chaw of tobacco into his right cheek.

“No tobacco in the Detroit clubhouse,” he said, then added with derision, “Bo Schembechler.”

Neither that nor the weather dampened his spirit. The weekend before the season begins is the time to talk about winning, not avoiding losing.

“You hate to think in terms of .500, but looking at a .500 record from where we were last year, that would be some improvement,” Merrill said. “In the American League East, .500 puts you in the hunt. I’ll take that going in. I’m not conceding anything going in. That’s why they play the games, don’t they? Ask UNLV.”

Merrill was generally pleased about the camp. “The overall play of our kids was the biggest surprise,” he said. “None appeared to be lost, over their head, embarrassed.”

Left fielder Hensley Meulens is the only rookie on the squad, although pitcher Dave Eiland and catcher-infielder Jim Leyritz have less than a full season’s major league experience. Merrill’s comments reflected on the showings of pitchers Wade Taylor and Jeff Johnson, who might find their way to Yankee Stadium sometime this year.

“Kids are knocking on the door,” Merrill said.

Although he said there were no major disappointments, Merrill had less reason to be encouraged by his starting pitchers, Eiland included. “I sensed a little complacency there,” he said. “Sometimes when a guy knows he has the club made, he takes it a little too easy.”

There is reason for concern about the starters. Only Scott Sanderson (1.23 earned-run average) distinguished himself at all. Starters combined for a 7-7 record but had a 4.77 ERA and gave up 140 hits, including 13 home runs, in 126 innings. Mike Witt, disabled because of an elbow strain, won’t be available for at least two weeks, and mid-May is the earliest the Yankees can expect Pascual Perez, who had rotator cuff surgery last year and has yet to throw a slider.

“Our hitting has improved,” Merrill said, turning the optimism back on. “Of course, it would have to. It was pathetic last year. But I feel we’ll do a better job of scoring runs.”

The Yankees averaged 5.13 runs a game, which helped them to an 18-12 spring record despite a staff ERA of 4.27. All that turns to zero now. As Merrill said, “The time has come for us to find out what we’re holding.”

Merrill has yet to reveal his opening day lineup, which may have lost one certainty. Designated hitter Kevin Maas is questionable because of a left thigh muscle pull. If Maas, who was sidelined 10 days in March because of a groin muscle pull, is unavailable, Leyritz will be the DH, allowing Merrill to put another right-handed batter, catcher Bob Geren, into the order against Tigers left-hander Frank Tanana. Still no word on the starting third baseman. Mike Blowers is probable because Merrill is considering starting Randy Velarde at shortstop over Alvaro Espinoza, still bothered by a broken right ring finger.

Yankee General Manager Michael said it was doubtful the Yankees would make a trade before Opening Day.