While the Yankees are almost certain to undergo a bit of a makeover before spring training, it has yet to begin.
General manager Brian Cashman said yesterday he hadn’t heard from Mariano Rivera yet regarding his potential return — just one of the unknowns surrounding this early offseason.
The team has until Saturday before its stable of free agents — including Russell Martin, Andy Pettitte, Hiroki Kuroda, Ichiro Suzuki and Nick Swisher — can speak with other teams. Rivera’s replacement, Rafael Soriano, is also expected to opt out of the final year of his contract. Rivera’s decision for 2013 figures to play a role in how the Yankees deal with Soriano, who should be in line to get a multi-year contract after saving 42 games for the Yankees after Rivera’s injury.
The Yankees figure to make runs at Martin, Kuroda and Pettitte and could extend a qualifying offer to Swisher, who is still expected to depart for a more lucrative offer.
Kuroda has to decide whether he wants to re-sign with the Yankees after inking a $10 million deal last offseason. His former team, the Dodgers, may be interested as well, since they no longer have cash problems, thanks to new ownership.
Of course, the Yankees will have free agent targets of their own starting Saturday. One of them could be Torii Hunter. The 37-year-old outfielder wouldn’t exactly make the Yankees younger, but he is still a consistent offensive threat. And while the Angels still like him, he may not fit into their plans.