Outfielders Austin Jackson and Jose Tabata came into the 2008 season ranked as the second and third-best prospects in the Yankees organization by Baseball America, and entered the season as teammates with the Trenton Thunder, the Yankees Double-A affiliate.

As the season progressed, Tabata struggled mightily for the first six weeks or so, was embroiled in controversy for going AWOL from a game, and eventually was traded to the Pirates in the Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte trade.

Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Jackson quietly put up strong numbers month after month, and finished the season with a .285 batting average, nine home runs, 69 runs batted in and 19 stolen bases. In the process, the Denton, Texas native has cemented himself as the top prospect in the Yankees' farm system.

"I think he's the top athlete in the Yankee organization, as far as being advanced and being ready to play in the big leagues," a scout said. "He's an athletic kid, he can run and throw, and he's got a chance to hit for power. He's not going to be a huge power guy, but enough to put some numbers up."

When asked what player came to mind when he watched Jackson play, he referenced another young outfielder that's come up through the minor leagues in New York in recent years.

"(Lastings) Milledge is the first guy that popped into my head," the scout said. "I think they're in the same kind of mold.

"(Jackson) has a chance to be a five-tool player. I think they're very comparable. Milledge was always pretty much untouchable until they got rid of him, and I don't think that was based on ability – I think it was because of everything else along with it."

After having Jackson in the Eastern League playoffs last season, Franklin has had Jackson manning center field and hitting third in the order all season long. After getting to watch him for 140-plus games, Franklin said he likes what he sees.

"Improvement, improvement, improvement," Franklin said in summarizing Jackson's season in Trenton. "He's made some adjustments with his swing, which has allowed him to improve his average and lay off some pitches that are out of the strike zone which most young guys would chase.

"Anytime you have prospects that are highly talked about the majority of the time and put numbers up, you've got yourself a good one, and I think we've got ourselves a very good one."

One thing the scout pointed to was Jackson's ability to improve throughout the season, something scouts key in on when watching players.

"He starts out each year slowly because he's a young kid, and then he catches up as the year goes along, which shows improvement. That's what you're looking for when it to comes to prospects."

After a productive season in Double-A, Jackson likely will be bumped up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre next season. Nevertheless, the scout said he didn't think it was out of the question Jackson could find himself in The Bronx as soon as next April.

"If you want to make sure he's ready, that's probably the plan," the scout said of moving Jackson up to Triple-A next season. "But with the Yankees need for a center fielder, if he has a hell of a spring training, he could make the club."

Hal and Hank Steinbrenner agree they want Brian Cashman back as the Yankees' GM, The Post has learned.

According to a MLB source, the Steinbrenner family has decided Cashman is the man to lead the organization back from a nightmarish season that will end with the Yankees missing playoffs for the first time since 1993.

Cashman, who last week shouldered the blame for the dismal season, met with Hal and Hank yesterday at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. No contract offer was made but, according to the source, Cashman is aware of the Steinbrenners' wishes.

Talking before last night's 7-2 win over the division-leading Rays, Cashman refused comment on the Steinbrenners wanting him back. All year Cashman has said he will deal with his future in the offseason. Right now, he said the focus is on pulling off a miracle this season.

"We have gone through the frustration and disappointment," Cashman said. "Now the focus is on the small things. Try and pick up a game a week and get to Fenway Park and make that series meaningful."

Cashman, 41,is in the final season of a three-year deal worth $5.4 million, and he understands the mountain his club has to climb.

"Is it too much, a game a week?" Cashman said. "It's not out of the realm of possibility. You can't do it in three or four days. Make up a game a week and get to Fenway Park with a chance. If (Boston) wants to make it easier, I'll take that."

Cashman has been linked to the Seattle and Philadelphia GM jobs. If Washington dumps Jim Bowden, expect Cashman to be mentioned in the city he attended college (Catholic University).

Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday.

Chamberlain was placed on the DL on Aug. 6 with right rotator cuff tendinitis. He left his start Aug. 4 against Texas with shoulder soreness.

The right-hander will work out of the bullpen the rest of the regular season. He went 4-3 with a 2.63 ERA in 32 games, including 12 starts, before getting hurt.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said it was possible that Chamberlain could start next season as a reliever. Chamberlain opened the 2008 season as the setup for Mariano Rivera before moving into the rotation.

“We had an innings limit this year that he won’t meet, so could he exceed that innings limit next year? We wouldn’t want to do that,” Cashman said before the Yankees played Tampa Bay. “We’ll talk about that, obviously, at a more appropriate time. We have to protect the player.”

Chamberlain plans to offer his input after the season about 2009.

Even seats behind the outfield fence will be costly at the new Yankee Stadium.

The front part of the area behind the outfield in right and left will cost $100 and $75 per game next year as part of season-ticket plans at the $1.3 billion ballpark.

But behind those four sections of seats, and to the rear of the bullpens closer to center field, are nine sections of bleachers priced at $12, the same as the cost this season in the final year of the 85-year-old ballpark.

The Yankees put season ticket prices on their Web site Friday along with a seat locator that shows views from each location. They also mailed relocation brochures to season-ticket holders.

Prices for the best seats were announced in March, with the Yankees charging $500-$2,500 for tickets near home plate in the first nine rows, contained in 25 sections ringing home plate. In all, the Yankees have sold more than 3,500 of approximately 4,300 premium seats on the field, main and terrace levels, chief operating officer Lonn Trost said Friday.

“Other than those 4,300 seats, which are going to subsidize everybody else, the prices are not” being raised significantly, Trost said. “And remember, 24,000-plus seats will have no price increase at all.”

The Yankees said Friday the remainder of the field-seats level seats cost from $75-$325 as part of season tickets, while main-level seats go for $45-$100. The highest deck is split into two areas, with terrace seats going for $40-$65 and grandstand selling for $20 and $25.

In a sign most of the best seats will be sold as season tickets, only the least expensive category of field seats and the two least expensive levels of main seats are being made available for partial plans. The Yankees are charging $5-$10 more per seat for partial plans than they are for season tickets. Individuals game prices haven’t been set.

Invoices for season tickets will be sent out starting in mid-September, and fans who decline their seats, wishing to upgrade, downgrade or switch their plan, can go in a pool for others seats. A 10 percent payment is due about two weeks after receiving an invoice.

If today's bullpen session goes without a hitch Joba Chamberlain will take the next step in his rehabilitation process.

Nevertheless, pinning the Yankees down on what that will be isn't easy.

"We are taking it a day at a time and see how he feels," manager Joe Girardi said of the right-hander Chamberlain, who will throw his third bullpen session and is expected to make 35 to 45 pitches and throw breaking balls and fastballs. "He could do a simulated game Double-A (Trenton) and Triple-A (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre) are in the playoffs so there is time."

Chamberlain has been on the DL since leaving an Aug. 4 game in Texas with what was diagnosed as rotator cuff tendinitis.

GM Brian Cashman didn't say if the Yankees' place in the standings would dictate if Chamberlain is activated. The Yankees lost 7-3 to the Red Sox last night at the Stadium, falling six games behind Boston in the wild-card race.

"We are going to do what is best for him," Cashman said.

Joba Chamberlain will throw a 35-pitch bullpen today at Yankee Stadium with pitching coach Dave Eiland watching. Chamberlain will throw sliders and curve balls for the first time since leaving a game on Aug. 4 with right rotator cuff tendinitis. Chamberlain threw in the bullpen Saturday but was limited to fastballs and change-ups.

He is looking to an early September return but it hasn't been decided if Chamberlain will come back as a starter or reliever or on what date.