GM open to improving roster before start of season

TAMPA — Brian Cashman is keeping his phone on, but whether that leads to any calls that add talent to the Yankees’ roster before Opening Day remains to be seen. “We’re not pencils down by any means,” Cashman said Thursday. “If there’s ways to improve the club, we’re always going to be open-minded to that. We know what the goal is: to be the last team standing. The more talent you have, the better chances you’re going to have — and the better chance you’ll have to withstand injuries, too.”

The Yankees’ general manager oversaw a winter that was highlighted by trading for Juan Soto, along with acquiring Alex Verdugo and signing Marcus Stroman. The moves have raised the Yankees’ projected luxury-tax payroll above $300 million for the first time in franchise history.

And yet, the roster still has question marks, particularly with a rotation that is highly dependent on staying healthy without much proven depth behind it.

Asked if the Yankees had financial room to add, Cashman said he was not allowed to comment, citing the collective bargaining agreement (essentially, executives are prohibited from saying they are out of the running for any free agent).

“I don’t have ‘blocked’ on my call sheet for any agents,” Cashman said. “If they want to call, they certainly have the avenue to do so. I’m always open-minded to listen to what’s available as well as continue our dialogues with opposing general managers. But we do like what we have here. But it’s a long season. We’re certainly not going to assume that what we have now is going to be enough. That’s why the job is always to be open.”

While the Yankees held their first workout for pitchers and catchers Thursday, plenty of free agents remain unsigned. That included two of the top pitchers on the market in Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, both of whom are represented by Scott Boras.

Cashman declined to comment when asked whether he was surprised that Snell and Montgomery were both still unsigned at this point on the calendar.

The Yankees also discussed trading for starting pitchers this

offseason — Dylan Cease remains with the White Sox for the time being — but have yet to match up with another team.

“I think we’d like to always improve the roster if you can,” Cashman said. “It’s got to fit. It’s got to make sense — if it’s trade, matching up prospect-wise or whatever you’re giving up to get, you have to match up there which is always impossible. Or financially gotta make it fit too.”