O’Neill says Yanks won’t trade him

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

NEW YORK -- Paul O'Neill, still wondering whether his left hamstring has recovered during the offseason, has no doubt he'll remain with the New York Yankees.

"The Yankees have told me it didn't come from them and they're not going to trade me," O'Neill said Tuesday at the Toy Fair, where he promoted dolls in his likeness.

O'Neill struggled with his hamstring, which hampered his baserunning and his fielding in the outfield. Still, he wound up hitting .302 with 19 homers and 91 RBIs.

"I enjoy playing in New York," O'Neill said.

Still, he wonders whether the leg has healed completely, and has discussed his health with Yankees manager Joe Torre.

"I still have a little question mark in my mind about it," O'Neill said. "Joe's told me that in spring training we're just going to kind of ease into it. I hope to be 100 percent the last couple of weeks of spring training."

Despite the many changes made by the Yankees in the offseason, O'Neill believes the Yankees have a chance to repeat their Series triumph if they stay healthy.

"Health is a big part of any team's success," he said. "We lost (John) Wetteland but I think our bullpen is solid. David Weathers will be with us all year, and Graeme Lloyd has shown what he can do, and Mariano (Rivera), when he's on nobody's going to touch him."

Rivera, who had been the Yankees' dominating setup man, is expected to replace Wetteland as the team's closer.

"As far as starters are concerned, we're going to miss Jimmy (Key), but I think we're in good shape, especially since we have Coney (David Cone) all year."