As the Yankees considered trading for center fielder Juan Pierre, they were skeptical of his decline last season with Florida. Pierre flustered the Yankees in the 2003 World Series, but his on-base percentage slid to .326 last season from .374 in 2004, and he had 40 fewer hits than he did in 2004.

The Yankees passed on Pierre, but the Chicago Cubs traded for him Wednesday, sending pitchers Sergio Mitre, Ricky Nolasco and Renyel Pinto to the cost-cutting Marlins. Pierre said he was a better player than he showed last season.

''For me, it was an embarrassing year, a very disappointing year,'' he said on a conference call with reporters. ''I know I can play. I think I'm better than that.''