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NEW YORK - The balance of power in the American League East changed so dramatically Friday, the thousand-year war between the Boston Red Sox and Yankees is now, officially, pick-em.

The Sox finalized a startling trade for Curt Schilling, giving them what's arguably the most lethal starting rotation in baseball. But the engines of the East's winter rivalry have only started to howl.

According to a senior major-league executive, the Yankees have reached an agreement in principle with Gary Sheffield and are ready to unveil his three-year, $40 million contract "at any time of (George Steinbrenner's) choosing."

The announcement could come within the next few days, as the source indicated: "Gary is as good as (signed) right now. He's a Yankee."

Adding Sheffield gives the Yankees the dream offense they'll need in 2004 - he hit a career-high .330 with 39 homers and 132 RBI for the Braves last season - considering the Sox will boast their own version of nirvana. With Schilling, Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe as their top three starters, the Sox will match, if not top, the Yankees' starters for the first time in decades.

Sheffield, of course, could help neutralize Schilling's presence at Fenway. But the Sox have hopes of upgrading their offense as well. One AL general manager said Friday the Red Sox are making "serious headway" in a deal for Alex Rodriguez, which would send Manny Ramirez to the Rangers.

Although such a swap isn't close to completion, the executive said the two teams "have spoken several times" in the last week. If such a deal were made, the Sox are expected to send Nomar Garciaparra to the Angels to make room for A-Rod, who is the AL's best all-around hitter.

For now, the Red Sox will bask in the triumph of snaring Schilling.

For their part, the Yankees must counter Schilling's addition by signing Andy Pettitte, whose leverage over the Bombers increased exponentially Friday. The Yankees also are pursuing the Expos' Javier Vazquez and Chicago White Sox starter Bartolo Colon.

HALL OF GAME BALLOT: Dennis Eckersley and Paul Molitor headline the 15 newcomers on baseball's Hall of Fame ballot.

Former MVPs Kevin Mitchell and Terry Pendleton, Cy Young winner Doug Drabek and World Series star Joe Carter also are on the ballot, released Saturday by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Banished Reds star Pete Rose was again notably absent.

Bruce Sutter, Jim Rice, Andre Dawson, Ryne Sandberg, Lee Smith and Rich Gossage are the leading returning candidates.

Sutter came the closest to making the Hall out of that group in last year's voting, appearing on 53.6 percent of the ballots. Gary Carter and Eddie Murray were the only players elected in 2003.

Voting ends Dec. 31, and the results will be announced Jan. 6.

LOOKING EAST: The Dodgers, who are sitting on a Paul Konerko offer from the White Sox, are considering signing South Korean slugger Seung-Yeop Lee to fill their hole at first base.

Lee, 27, is known as "the Lion King." He set an Asian record with 56 homers last season for the Samsung Lions but has not excited scouts during spring-training visits to the Cubs and Marlins camps.

SHORT HOPS: Florida has only one more week to negotiate a new contract with Ivan Rodriguez because it agreed not to offer salary arbitration when it signed him to a one-year contract. He reportedly is looking for five years at $10 million a year but probably will wind up once again being a bargain.

• The Derrek Lee trade to the Cubs makes it likely the Marlins will re-sign Luis Castillo and Mike Lowell, with Jeff Conine and Hee Seop Choi sharing first base and Miguel Cabrera in right field.

• Cardinals manager Tony La Russa sees Albert Pujols as a full-time first baseman after trading Tino Martinez to Tampa Bay.

• Tampa Bay is not done with significant moves. The Devil Rays have made a two-year offer to reliever Tom Gordon and want to sign one proven hitter from a group that includes Juan Gonzalez, Reggie Sanders, Jose Cruz Jr., Rondell White and Brad Fullmer.

• The Blue Jays have not begun talking about an extension with Carlos Delgado, who is eligible for free agency after 2004.