The Yankees want Robinson Cano back at second base and are hopeful he ends up staying in The Bronx, but they continue to make contingency plans.
After checking in with free-agent Omar Infante, the Yankees reportedly inquired about Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips.
The 32-year-old drove in 103 runs last season and could be available after feuding with management in Cincinnati, according to according to CBS Sports. The asking price is said to be very high for Phillips, who was four years and $50 million left on his six-year deal.
A source considered a potential trade unlikely.
General manager Brian Cashman refused to confirm the report. He told The Post on Sunday he was “calling them all” in regards to second basemen, but was referring to available free agents.
“We’ve got a lot of needs, so I’m open to exploring any options to improve the club,” Cashman said. “And keeping in mind our goal of getting [payroll] under $189 million.”
So far, according to sources, there has been no recent movement involving Cano and the Yankees, and a market has yet to develop for Cano.
It may take time for the free agent to find out exactly what he could get from another team. He is expected to take his time in making his decision, but the common thought throughout baseball is Cano will end up back with the Yankees.
Curtis Granderson’s future is less clear, with some people within the organization confident he will accept the Yankees’ qualifying offer worth $14.1 million, but most believing he will eventually seek a multi-year contract.
The outfielder didn’t tip his hand Tuesday, saying he would continue to consider the Yankees’ offer.
“I’ve enjoyed my time with New York and we’ve got to see what’s going to happen there first, but I’m open for everything,” Granderson said on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM.
“Let’s just see how it is all going to end up happening and see what happens with the Yankees first,” added Granderson, who was limited to 61 games last season after breaking bones twice thanks to being hit by a pitch.
“It’s definitely something you’ve got to think about and I appreciate the Yankees extending that offer to me. You’ve definitely got to continue to weigh all your options to see what’s the best fit for you. Is it doing something like … the qualifying offer and going back out there again, or seeing what else is out there?”
Granderson isn’t the only player who received a qualifying offer the Yankees are waiting on to put together next year’s lineup.
Brian McCann got one from the Braves and is expected to reject it, which would set up a fierce bidding war for one of the best bats on the free-agent market.
And the Yankees, according to sources, have at least shown preliminary interest in the catcher.
McCann’s agent, B.B. Abbott, declined to name teams, but said 10 organizations had called him about his client.
“There are a lot of moving parts this early in the offseason,” Abbott said. “You have to be able to roll with that at this point.”
Indeed, until teams — including the Yankees — know which players accept offers, they remain unsure of how much money they have to spend.
Abbott said they had not made a decision regarding Atlanta’s qualifying offer, but McCann is widely expected to see what he can get as a free agent, with the Rangers and Boston ready to drive up his price.
If McCann proves to be too expensive for the Yankees, they could turn to Jarrod Saltalamacchia or A.J. Pierzynski.