Lots of talking, little happening for Cash, Yanks

THE YANKEES have shown no appetite for diving into the expensive end of the free agent market, like their rivals in Boston did in signing David Price. But Yanks’ GM Brian Cashman says he’s “been busy, having lots of conversations” about potential trades this winter.

“The only question is if they lead to anything or not,” Cashman said in a telephone interview. “I’ve had a lot of conversations, heard a lot of ideas from other teams, but certainly trying to thread that needle is not always easy.”

Cashman will take a brief break from winter business Friday morning when he rappels down the 22-story Landmark Building in Stamford, Conn., a practice run for his annual participation in that city’s “Heights and Lights” holiday program.

Or will he? Each of the last two years, the day Cashman has done the practice run has proven to be newsy for the Yanks. Two winters ago, Robinson Cano finalized his departure from the Bronx, agreeing to a 10-year, $240 million contract with Seattle shortly after Cashman was done tuning up for the main event, which always takes place on the following Sunday night.

Last year on the same day, the Yanks consummated the three-way deal with the Diamondbacks and Tigers that netted them emerging shortstop Didi Gregorius.

Asked if he thought Friday might be active, Cashman noted that cell phones mean business can be conducted anywhere these days.

NON-TENDER FOR GERMAN

The Yankees had only one non-tender − Domingo German, a 23-year-old right-handed pitching prospect. The club not offering him a contract made him a free agent, but the pitcher, who was acquired last year from the Marlins in the same trade that brought Nathan Eovaldi, could return. Cashman said “It’s our intended goal” to bring back German on a minor-league deal, if possible. German missed all of last season after Tommy John surgery, but was named to the 2014 Futures Game.

KOZMA SIGNS

The Yankees signed infielder Pete Kozma to a minor-league contract. Kozma, 27, was a first-round pick by the Cardinals in the 2007 draft and has appeared in the majors in each of the last five years with St. Louis, compiling a .222 average, .288 on-base and .293 slugging percentage in 275 games.