Cashman fielding lots of inquiries

LAS VEGAS — Perhaps thinking the Yankees were down on Gary Sanchez following a terrible year at and behind the plate teams have called Brian Cashman to see if the general manager would trade the catcher who underwent left shoulder surgery after this past season.

Cashman said no and Tuesday repeated there are no plans other than to have Sanchez behind the plate when the 2019 season starts.

Sanchez is just one of several Yankees who Cashman has fielded questions about.

“I have teams ask me about [Miguel] Andujar, Sanchez, [Gleyber] Torres, [Luke] Voit, [Aaron] Hicks. I have had [Jacoby] Ellsbury’s name pop up,’’ Cashman said late Tuesday afternoon at the Delano Hotel. “I have had [Dellin] Betances, [Chad] Green, [Jonathan] Holder. Sonny Gray, [James] Paxton since we acquired him. [Brett] Gardner where I had to tell someone he was 10 and 5. [Clint] Frazier’s name has come up. No one has asked me about Aaron Judge and nobody has asked me about [Giancarlo] Stanton.’’

Since Ellsbury is 35, missed all of 2018 due to a lowerback problem that led to hip surgery and is owed $47 million for two more years, that a team would inquire if he were available was surprising. However,

there were strings attached.

“They call it money laundering. That’s how I define it as, somebody trying to money launder to see if we can match up with this versus that,’’ Cashman said.

Aaron Boone said he believes Sanchez can erase 2018 and develop into a better catcher and hitter.

“I think this year is going to be a huge year of growth for him,” the manager said. “And going through some of the challenges and adversity that he went through I think is going to make him a better player. He’s spent a lot of time in Tampa this winter. He’s already in very good shape. And I feel like he’s going to come back and have a really great season for us on both sides of the ball.”

On Monday, Cashman said he had talked to agent Dan Lozano about free-agent infielder Manny Machado because of his club’s void at shortstop until Didi Gregorius returns from right shoulder surgery.

Asked if he planned to meet with Machado, Cashman replied, “I wouldn’t say.’’ Asked if a recent report was accurate that Machado would meet with the Yankees, Cashman repeated the answer.

There is not a definitive date when Gregorius will return to the big leagues so Cashman is keeping all options open. That includes Machado, but not likely for the $300 million deal he has been linked to.