As they have done since the beginning of the offseason, the Yankees have prioritized needs as they check off boxes.
Pitching was first and they retained Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Hiroki Kuroda. Then Kevin Youkilis to replace the injured Alex Rodriguez. That was followed by Ichiro Suzuki.
Now, acquiring a right-handed hitting outfielder sits above filling the DH hole, which may lead to Raul Ibanez not returning to The Bronx.
According to a friend, the left-handed hitting Ibanez is looking to find a home “in the next seven to 10 days.’’ The Yankees have talked to Ibanez’s agents, but there hasn’t been any negotiating sessions. The Rangers, Mariners and Phillies are interested and believed to be farther along in the process than the Yankees.
Asked how the search for a right-handed hitting outfielder to go with left-handed hitters Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Ichiro is moving, Brian Cashman didn’t sound like a man on the verge of filling the need.
“It’s not deep,’’ the general manager said of the free-agent pool and trade market.
If free-agent Scott Hairston continues to look for a two-year deal it’s unlikely he will get it from the Yankees, who have signed five free agents this winter and gave just one — Ichiro — a two-year contract. Free-agent Cody Ross is also looking for a multi-year pact.
As for the trade market, the names are enticing, but the dollars and years remaining on contracts put the Yankees out of play.
Minnesota may move Josh Willingham who hit 35 homers and drove in 110 runs last year and has two years and a combined $14 million remaining. And the Twins would likely want something better than what the Yankees could offer.
The Yankees have long liked Colorado’s Michael Cuddyer, but he is owed $21 million for 2013 and 2014. He is a .260 career hitter with a .795 OPS.
Vernon Wells could play the role Andruw Jones filled the last two years, but the Angels would have to swallow most of the astonishing $42 million across two years remaining on his contract.
Additional reporting by Ken Davidoff