Cashman: Adding DH was a must for Yanks

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Because a one-year deal for $13 million with designated-hitter Matt Holliday wasn’t official when Brian Cashman spoke late Monday afternoon at the winter meetings, the Yankees’ general manager danced around the specifics.

However, he did explain why getting a DH was important and why the Yankees went outside to fill the role with Holliday, who will be 37 next month.

“There were better options outside the organization,’’ said Cashman, who talked to agents for Carlos Beltran and Edwin Encarnacion, but signed Holliday. “We didn’t score enough last sseason so we are trying to improve that.’’

Holliday needs to pass a physical before the deal is announced.

Like many GMs, Cashman fears his players getting injured during the World Baseball Classic which begins in March.

“Probably too many,’’ Cashman said in re- sponse to a question about the number of Yankees who will participate in the tournament. “I think there are a lot of players who are going to play. I expect certain guys will be playing so we will see where it goes.’’

Unless a player has an injury issue his team can’t deny that player a chance to play.

The only Yankee confirmed to play is reliever Dellin Betances who will pitch for defending champion Dominican Republic. Asked about staff ace Masahiro Tanaka, who has a history of elbow problems pitching for Japan, Cashman said he wasn’t going to borrow trouble from tomorrow.

“It hasn’t gotten to that point, so I am not going to worry about it,’’ Cashman said.

Didi Gregorius (Netherlands), Gary Sanchez (DR) and Luis Cessa (Mexico) are candidates to participate. ➤ Tino Martinez won four World Series rings as a Yankee and now will attempt to help Team USA cop a WBC title. The former Yankee f irst baseman will be Team USA’s batting coach. “Joe Torre and Jim

Leyland [called] about a month ago and asked if I would be interested,’’ Martinez said. “It is a great honor and very exciting. I am looking forward to it.’’

Torre, who was Martinez’s manager with the Yankees, is MLB’s chief baseball officer and Leyland is Team USA’s manager.

“It’s a great opportunity to be with Jim Leyland, try to win the WBC and get the players ready for the regular season,’’ Martinez said. ➤ Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar were named to the Arizona Fall League Top Prospect Team on Monday.

Torres the league’s MVP, was named as one of three shortstops. Andujar made it as a designated hitter.