Don Mattingly is a New York icon whose unfortunate legacy could be as the best Yankee never to have played in the postseason.

Darryl Strawberry is a fallen hero trying to save his life - and career - with what is likely his last chance.

Ruben Sierra is a player whose talent has not been enough to keep him from being eventually unwanted by every team for which he's played.

So only in the Bronx could all signs point to Mattingly being sacrificed as a way to keep Strawberry and Sierra.

This odd equation begins with Mattingly and his declining offensive skills, largely the result of ongoing back troubles. He's a free agent who Yankee people privately believe won't even receive a courtesy contract offer from New York.

Never mind that Mattingly still has considerable worth as a leader, defensively excellent first baseman and occasional offensive weapon. Never mind that the Yankees have precious few other leaders and that, if Mattingly is gone, they'll need to either spend a bundle for a free agent like Fred McGriff or Paul Sorrento or weaken themselves in a number of other positions (by, for example, moving Wade Boggs to first from third.)

Sierra's contract, which has two years remaining, is a big hitch. Even if baseball had a clue about its economic future, there isn't a team out there willing to take on Sierra's personality and its $10 million price tag. So he's un-tradeable and the Yankees' expensive problem.

quietly in a part-time role. That said, his history makes it impossible to predict his personal or professional future. His playing value is confined to being a platoon designated hitter, a job for which the Yankees have several less expensive and less risky options.

But Strawberry never made any baseball sense to the Yankees and he doesn't now. And unless he has a life slip in the next few months, Strawberry is certain to be back with the Yankees.

The reason is that Strawberry was George Steinbrenner's idea. The only constant with the Yankees remains their owner. It doesn't matter what GM Gene Michael thinks, even though Michael has continually done a solid rebuilding job for the Yankees. And it doesn't matter what manager Buck Showalter thinks, even though he has kept his club competitive amidst the injuries and mayhem. Neither may be around in New York next season.

So as always in the Bronx, it's ultimately Steinbrenner's call. Pascarelli, Peter

Copyright 1995, USA TODAY BASEBALL WEEKLY, a division of Gannett Co., Inc.