When the free-agent market opened following the World Series, Brian Cashman prioritized pitching over any other position.
Eventually, the Yankees general manager signed Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Hiroki Kuroda to one-year deals. In part, Cashman’s focus on arms played a role in catcher Russell Martin leaving for the Pirates and a two-year, $17 million deal after not receiving an offer from the Yankees.
Now, after signing Kevin Youkilis to play third in Alex Rodriguez’s absence and close to announcing Ichiro Suzuki’s two-year contract, Cashman is looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder and a DH.
“I’m open to whatever, whether talking to [free agents] or other clubs,’’ Cashman said when asked if one position took priority over the other. “Whether it’s now or June, at some point we’ll have it.’’
Cashman also said, “We are talking to Raul Ibanez and his agent.’’
Ibanez, who hit 19 homers in the regular season and three more in October, is drawing interest from the Rangers, Mariners and Phillies. The 40-year-old left-handed hitter would strictly be a DH if he returned to the Yankees, whose projected starting outfield will be all left-handed hitters in Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Ichiro.
Asked if he were willing to talk about discussions with Scott Hairston, who would fill the right-handed hitting outfielder search, Cashman didn’t want to go there.
“Raul was one of our [players last year],’’ said Cashman, who has been careful to not violate the clause in the Basic Agreement that prohibits clubs and agents from discussing terms, dollars and negotiations when talking about free agents. “I don’t want to talk about outside guys.’’
The Yankees and agent Casey Close talked early in the process, but Hairston, who hit 20 homers for the Mets last year, is seeking a two-year deal, which could be a stumbling block for the Yankees despite them not having an in-house candidate for the job. Hairston has a career .825 OPS against lefties and is a .276 hitter against them.
Asked if an outfielder could be acquired in a trade, Cashman said, “Sure, why not?’’
The Angels would likely be willing to deal Vernon Wells and swallow a good chunk of the $42 million owed to him across the next two seasons. However, in 77 games last year, the 34-year-old Wells batted .230 and posted career lows in homers (11) and RBIs (29).