NEW YORK -- No World Series rings to design. No American League pennant to fly.

It's almost enough to make George Steinbrenner greet players at spring training handing out jerseys that read: ''We won 103 games and all we got are these lousy T-shirts.''

Matsui doesn't waste time getting right to work

TAMPA, Fla. -- Hideki Matsui took part in a 40-minute running and stretching session less than two hours after he arrived at the New York Yankees' spring training complex Monday. The Japanese slugger took the field shortly after flying to Florida from New York with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. ''He's a Clemens type, where you like to work out and that's good,'' Cashman said. ''He just has a deep desire to play the game of baseball and play it right. I can tell that. He's dedicated to being the best that he can possibly be.'' Matsui signed a $21 million, three-year contract during the offseason after becoming a free agent in Japan. He is penciled in as the Yankees' starting left fielder. ''I've got anxiety because it's the first experience for the major leagues,'' Matsui said through an interpreter. ''I'm going to try to be a major league player as soon as possible.'' Matsui left Japan for New York last Monday. He had been working out at Yankee Stadium. ''He's anxious, probably, to see what he can do over here,'' Cashman said. ''An urgency to get down here. Wanting to get on the field.'' Around 70 Japanese media members were present at the Yankees' complex. A larger group is expected when Matsui practices again Tuesday. ''In Japan, it's a normal thing,'' Matsui said. ''I will have to try and be comfortable.'' -- The Associated Press

''It's just extra motivation for this year,'' Derek Jeter said.

Work for the Yankees' elusive 27th World Series title begins Tuesday, when pitchers, catchers and injured players report for spring training in Tampa, Fla. Many have already been across the Dale Mabry highway at the minor league complex for early workouts.

While the clubhouse at Legends Field won't be more crowded than usual, the competition to earn jobs figures to be fiercer. New York opens the spring with enough starting pitchers and outfielders to field two major league teams.

Returning from the rotation last year are Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina and David Wells. Jeff Weaver and Sterling Hitchcock also are back, unsure how they'll be used. And then there's Jose Contreras, the Cuban defector who signed a $32 million, four-year contract to join Steinbrenner's stars.

Where does Joe Torre put all the high-priced players?

''It's going to be very difficult,'' the manager said. ''I haven't a clue.''

The bullpen has been reshuffled, with left-hander Mike Stanton and right-hander Ramiro Mendoza allowed to leave. Replacing them as setup men for Mariano Rivera are newly signed left-hander Chris Hammond and right-hander Antonio Osuna, acquired from the Chicago White Sox in the trade that sent Orlando Hernandez to Montreal.

And then there's Hideki Matsui, the three-time MVP from Japan whose signing with the Yankees shook up baseball in two continents. Godzilla hits for average and power, and walks a lot.

Even without Matsui, New York led the major leagues last year with 897 runs and was tied for second with 640 walks, three behind Arizona.

But all those runs and a major league-best 103-58 record didn't mean anything in the postseason, when the Yankees lost 3-1 to Anaheim in the first round, ending their streak of four consecutive American League pennants. New York's starters had an 8.21 ERA in the postseason.

''It was a terrible finish to a wonderful season,'' Torre said. ''I'm not going to bash my team. We just didn't pitch very well.''

That's not what the Boss wants to hear. And he'll be even more unhappy if this year's team doesn't bring a title to the Bronx. Despite the new labor agreement that increases his revenue-sharing payments from about $32 million to approximately $45 million and imposes a luxury tax of about $9 million on his major league-leading payroll, Steinbrenner increased spending instead of cutting.

''George is pretty vocal. He knows what he wants,'' Torre said. ''He wants to be on top.''

Torre led the Yankees to World Series titles in four of his first five seasons before falling three outs short in 2001 and 10 postseason victories shy last year. He might have his most complicated spring yet because of all the competition for innings and at-bats.

New York's outfield is as crowded as its pitching staff. Going into the spring, Torre figures his starting three will be Matsui in left, Bernie Williams in center and Raul Mondesi in right.

Unless there is a trade or two, that leaves only a backup role for Rondell White, a bust last year when he never overcame a spring injury, and 24-year-old Juan Rivera, who impressed Torre as a rookie last season.

While the youngsters are trying to break in, several players are looking for championship sendoffs.

Clemens, who turns 42 in August, and Wells, who turns 40 in May, both say they're likely to retire at the end of the season. Clemens, the only six-time Cy Young Award winner, needs seven victories to reach 300 and his attempt to get the victories figures to be a big story for the Yankees early in the season.

''I'm looking at it as if it is, and I'm going to have some fun,'' Wells said.

Game notes
Contreras was due to travel from Nicaragua, where he picked up his visa, to Florida on Monday. ... Matsui shifted his workouts from New York to Tampa and was on the field for 40 minutes Monday. While pitchers, catchers and injured players can start workouts at the major league complex on Thursday, others must work out at the minor league complex until Feb. 18.