Brian Cashman is not interested in spending money. The New York Yankees' general manager has made it clear that he does not want to blow up the team's pay roll. With big contracts in Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez set to come off the books soon, the Yankees are aiming for more team-friendly deals. However, the temptation will be lingering to chase big names as the Yankees continue to get linked to players like Daniel Murphy and David Price.
According to Adam Rubin of ESPN.com, Daniel Murphy rejected his one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer from the Mets and will hit free agency. With the big issues at second base for the Yankees, Murphy is the ideal offseason addition. However, he will be costly for any team that intends to chase him. Cashman is well aware that Murphy is going to be available for the picking, but he is downplaying the idea that the Yankees will make a move.
"I think if we're going to pursue something ... we have two offensive-profile players already at that position," Cashman said, via ESPN.com. "So I think if we did any changing there it would be seeking more balance of both sides of the ball."
The second base position is an area of need for the Yankees. According to Wallace Matthews of ESPN.com, the Yankees traded Jose Pirela which means they will stick with Rob Refsnyder and Dustin Ackley right now. That might not be enough. Ackley did nothing upon his arrival in the Bronx and there is some distrust with Refsnyder. However, instead of paying big for Murphy, the Yankees are eyeing Ben Zobrist as a favored option. Chase Utley could also be an option on a team-friendly deal.
The Yankees are making moves right now. According to Matthews, the team traded for Aaron Hicks and is now expected to shop Brett Gardner in deals. Other trade candidates for the team include Michael Pineda, Adam Warren and even Teixeira who is entering the last year of his contract.
The Yankees need another starting pitcher to add to the roster, but they are not expected to chase big names like David Price, Zack Greinke or Johnny Cueto. Instead, Matthews reports the Yankees have a lot of confidence in cheaper players to have a bigger bang for the buck. Scott Kazmir, Doug Fister, Jeff Samradzija and Jordan Zimmermann will be intended targets instead. With doubt in many of the team's starters, spending big on an arm is not the worst idea.