Jon

Lieber

Mike Mussina will be the game one starter followed by Orlando Hernandez. Javier Vasquez, who has been erratic since the All-Star break, may or may not start game four.

Lieber complained of tightness on Saturday, but he felt better yesterday.

Lieber is still more likely to stay with the Yankees than he is to leave, but he is one of the Indians’ top two pitching targets. Matt Clement, the other, is due in for a visit next week.

Lieber’s another pitcher who figures to get a three-year deal slightly in excess of $20 million. His sinker would be a nice fit in the Philadelphia rotation.

According to the Post, it will be a three-year, $21 million contract.

The team is negotiating with both players. Other candidates to be offered arbitration include Orlando Hernandez, Ruben Sierra and John Olerud. The Yankees are not expected to make offers to Tony Clark, Travis Lee, Esteban Loaiza, C.J. Nitkowski and Enrique Wilson.

Lieber is on the DL with a groin injury, and hasn’t pitched in the regular season since Tommy John surgery in 2002.

There’s some concern in the Big Apple right now over whether Jose Contreras will be able to handle a rotation spot. Lieber could get a chance to start upon returning.

Lieber, coming back from Tommy John surgery, hopes to pitch for the Yankees in September.

That will give the Yankee righthander, who has a slightly sore pitching shoulder, eight full days off between starts. Javier Vazquez will start tonight for New York followed by Orlando Hernandez tomorrow and Mike Mussina on Sunday.