General manager Bob Watson said Thursday that the Yankees will make pitching their top priority in the free-agent market this offseason. George Steinbrenner may have a more sentimental agenda when it comes to patching his rift with the fans.

Steinbrenner has contacted Jim Krivacs, the agent for Don Mattingly, in an effort to bring the Yankees' captain back. Mattingly's five-year, $19-million contract expired at the end of this season, when he hit .288 with 7 home runs and 49 RBI and endured some of his worst slumps in his 13 years with the Yankees. There was speculation that Mattingly would leave the team when his contract was up, especially after manager Buck Showalter's departure.

Steinbrenner and Mattingly did not return calls yesterday, but Watson said Thursday that Mattingly would be evaluated like everyone else in the organization.

"I want to find out what's on his mind," Watson said. "I'd like to talk to him face to face . . . We'll make a proposal to him and he'll either sign on or sign off." David Lennon

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