By John Delcos
The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News

ANAHEIM, Calif. - From one team's ashes can be found another's treasure.

The New York Yankees, seeking to upgrade their offense, said they are better today with the acquisition of third baseman Aaron Boone at the Cincinnati Reds' fire sale.

General manager Brian Cashman left Boston Sunday night, "prepared to stand pat," a posture that changed with the upheaval of the Reds' power structure the following day.

Boone is a Yankee today not because owner George Steinbrenner mandated a deal, said club president Randy Levine, but because Boone's father and manager - Bob Boone - and general manager Jim Bowden, were fired by the Reds.

"We didn't go into the late part of the deadline thinking it was possible to shore up anything," Cashman said. "But when the Reds' situation changed, it created a whole different market that we reacted to."

Make that a chain reaction that included sending Robin Ventura to Los Angeles and the acquisition in a separate deal with the Reds of lefty reliever Gabe White, who, down with a groin problem, will be transferred to the Yankees' disabled list and could be available in three weeks.

The primary cost was highly-prized left-handed prospect Brandon Claussen, whom this time last month was being touted by the Yankees as a vital part of their future.

"The Yankees' future is right now," manager Joe Torre said. "The deal was about helping ourselves today."

Cashman said the Yankees honed in on Boone because the price tags and obstacles for Pittsburgh's Brian Giles or Montreal's Vladimir Guerrero were too daunting.

In addition to Claussen, the Yankees gave up lefty minor leaguer Charlie Manning and cash considerations.

"Our assessment of Claussen is high; our assessment of Boone is higher," Cashman said. "He (Claussen) became available only because Aaron Boone became available."

The Yankees previously rejected a Reds' proposal of Scott Williamson for Claussen and $2.5 million, but Boone was different.

"Brandon Claussen, in our opinion is the real deal," Cashman said. "But there's always a right deal there for everyone, and when the Cincinnati situation changed in the last week, that made available an All-Star third baseman, and us having a need, that made us pause, that made us think. We felt this was one worth doing."

"I think we have a third baseman now for this year, next year, beyond, " Torre said of Boone. "I think he's still on the upslope."

The fallout was the expendability of Ventura - who was dealt to Los Angeles for outfielder Bubba Crosby and pitcher Scott Proctor - and possibly the prospect of Drew Henson eventually taking snaps instead of fielding bunts.

"Drew Henson hasn't developed to the point where he's in consideration for the major league side," said Cashman, who said he'd speak with Henson and his agent, Casey Close, about Henson's future with the organization.

"By this move, we recognize this is a position of need for this organization and we can improve upon it now. The move on Aaron Boone obviously speaks volumes on where Drew Henson is on his development."

Boone, 30, hit .273 with 18 homers and 65 RBI for the Reds, and is making $3.7 million this season. Ventura, 36, was batting .251 with nine home runs and 42 RBI for a salary of $5 million.

Ventura, who would not have been brought back next season, said, "I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed. It's a great place to play."

Boone is arbitration eligible, which means the Yankees would have him through the 2004 season.

"Are you kidding?" Boone said when asked if he'd be interested in a long-term deal with the Yankees.

"I'm going to the best organization in sports. It's so flattering and humbling that they thought enough to get me."