TAMPA — Hal Steinbrenner uttered words yesterday that should make the Rangers and any other team interested in Cliff Lee sweat.
“I am a budget guy, but we got money to spend,” Steinbrenner said at George M. Steinbrenner Field when he was asked about the Yankees’ involvement with the free-agent lefty. “We have money coming off and we always put most all of it back and that’s what the fans expect. They expect us to build a good team every year and we are going to do that. So, we are involved.”
When the Yankees talk with a player they want — and in this case desperately need — and are willing to flex their financial biceps, it usually eliminates everybody else.
Following the press conference to announce Derek Jeter’s deal, general manager Brian Cashman returned to the Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista to try to hook up with Lee’s agent, Dareck Braunecker, for the second consecutive day.
“We spoke tonight,” Braunecker said. “We didn’t meet.”
Lee’s name dominated the Winter Meetings yesterday with various reports the field for Lee’s talented left arm has swelled to more than just the Yankees and Rangers.
The suddenly flush Nationals were in, then out, then called themselves long shots. And late last night, ESPN.com reported the Angels reached out to representatives for the left-hander.
Rangers executives said they were encouraged by Lee talks. No offer was presented but the sides spoke in parameters. Owner Chuck Greenberg labeled the talks “preliminary.”
Steinbrenner is more budget conscious than his late father, George. However, he has strayed from the budget structure in the past to sign Mark Teixeira when Cashman’s presentation was strong enough.
Now, with Lee easily in line for a six- or seven-year deal in the $23 million per range, Steinbrenner is open to listening.
“I am always willing to entertain whenever anybody comes into my office,” Steinbrenner said. “We are talking to Cliff Lee, we are involved. We will see where it goes.”
Ideally, Cashman would like a better pace but understands the Yankees don’t have the lead foot working.
“He dictates the pace and we got to go with the dance step,” said Cashman, who admits he is waiting on Lee’s camp to request an official offer or make one of its own.
“If they are willing to take one or throw something out, I am willing to get serious,” Cashman said. “But we are just waiting.”
While Steinbrenner talked about “having money to spend,” Cashman said there is a ceiling.
“I know what we are willing to do,” Cashman said. “We would love to add Cliff Lee to the Yankee rotation, there is no doubt about that. He knows that. But at the end of the day it’s business. He is going to weigh the opportunities presented him and measure it against whatever we are willing to do.”
Cashman promises Lee isn’t the lone prize.
“In the meantime I have my net cast very wide,” Cashman said. “I have been engaging a lot of people. It is possible for me to jump out of these meetings, go somewhere and come back. I have already met with one player and I intend to meet with another. I may jump out of this location and meet with another player. I want to make sure we are ready to rock and roll. We have a good team already, we are just trying to add to it.”
Two years ago, Cashman left Las Vegas to visit with Sabathia in California and got a seven-year, $161 million deal done. On the way home he stopped in Houston to talk to Andy Pettitte.
Pettitte is still out there although he could be leaning toward retirement. Free agent outfielder Carl Crawford is a big enough piece for Cashman to meet face to face or leave Disney World to visit. However, the Yankees view Crawford as a fall back option if they don’t land Lee.
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Former Yankees right-hander Dustin Moseley is nearing agreement on a one-year deal with the Padres, two people familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press.
He was 4-4 with a 4.96 ERA in 16 appearances with the Yankees, including nine starts.