Yankees not pursuing free agent Harper
This much Brian Cashman made clear on Day 1 of the winter meetings: The Yankees will not be pursuing Bryce Harper.
They will, however, continue to be involved with the other big-ticket item of this year’s free-agent class: Manny Machado.
“I’ve had several conversations with Dan Lozano about Manny Machado,” Cashman said of the infielder’s agent.
“So we are definitely focused in the marketplace in those areas of need and he obviously is available and solves that area of need. I’m not going to deny we’ve had a conversation or two.”
A need that arose with the end-of-season news that Didi Gregorius would be missing the first two months of the season – at least – after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
Interest in Machado, however, does not mean the Yankees using unlimited means, both in terms of money and years committed, to get him.
“We’re evaluating all opportunities that exist in the marketplace, both high end and low end and see how they fit in our world and if they do,” Cashman said.
And Harper is not a fit, which Cashman stressed the most he has all offseason.
In saying that the Yankees have no room for Harper, Cashman rattled off Aaron Judge Giancarlo Stanton, Brett Gardner, Clint Frazier, Aaron Hicks and Jacoby Ellsbury as outfielders he already has on the roster.
“We don’t have amount of dollars to be playing with in any marketplace, so I think you want to ask about something that fits more,” Cashman said.
“I’ve always said, ‘follow what I say.’ We’re looking for a starter, we’re looking for, how do we address the loss of Didi? At no time at all, all winter, have I said I’m looking for an outfielder. So that Harper stuff ... I’m surprised you’re still asking.”
Cashman, who also has said he’s looking for a bullpen piece or two, saw two potential rotation targets come off the freeagent board last week. Patrick Corbin, rated by most teams, including the Yankees, as the best pitcher on the market, agreed to a six-year, $140-million deal with the Nationals. Nathan Eovaldi, a former Yankee, re-upped with the Red Sox for four years and $67.5 million. The Yankees never made an official offer to either player.
Cashman has had talks with the agent for left-hander JA Happ since early November and those discussions will continue in Las Vegas.
The Yankees will keep looking at the remaining free-agent pitchers – a group that includes Dallas Keuchel, Charlie Morton, Lance Lynn and Wade Miley – and Cashman said he’s spoken to Scott Boras, the agent for Yusei Kikuchi, the Japanese lefthander just recently posted.
“We’ve stayed engaged throughout the marketplace on trades and free agency and we have our comfort levels,” Cashman said.
“If and whenever we do match up on the trade or freegent front, we’ll have something to show for it. But there’s no guarantee that’ll happen anytime soon. It could happen today. We’re very active, but at the same time disciplined about what we’re willing to do and we’re not willing to do.”