MLB

Cashman: Ellsbury, Gardner are similar players

Brian Cashman acknowledged what plenty others have pointed out: There’s not much difference between Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury.

“I think Gardner and him are very similar players,” the Yankees general manager said.

And since Gardner is due about $5 million this season, giving Ellsbury a seven-year, $153 million deal, with a club option for an eighth season, struck many as outlandish.

“The prices are competitive,” Cashman said of the early stages of free agency this offseason.

He should know, having brought in Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran and having re-signed Derek Jeter and Hiroki Kuroda. He also saw what Robinson Cano got from the Mariners.

The signings of Ellsbury and Beltran came after Cashman saw the writing on the wall that Cano wasn’t going to stay in The Bronx and were meant to “soften the blow” of Cano’s departure.

Despite the similarities between Gardner and Ellsbury, Cashman believes there will be room for both.

“We have three outfield spots and our left field and center field are the biggest in baseball,” Cashman said after rappelling down the side of the Landmark Building as part of the Heights and Lights ceremony in Stamford, Conn., Sunday evening. He was scheduled to leave for the Winter Meetings Monday morning.

Replacing Cano will be just one of his tasks the rest of the offseason. Cashman also is looking for a starting pitcher and some help in the bullpen.

Acquiring a closer, though, is not high on his to-do list.

“That’s the last thing I’m worried about,” Cashman said. “Listen, we have enough voids that you don’t have to prioritize any of it. You hope to run into something sooner than later that makes you better.”

As for the rotation, he would like to add one established arm, but added, “If I can find a guy, great, but there’s no guarantee I will.”

So far this offseason, the Yankees haven’t shied away from making major acquisitions, despite their stated desire to get payroll under the $189 million luxury-tax threshold.

“No one said anything about being conservative,” Cashman said.

That applies to the outfield, where he insisted there would be room for Gardner, Ellsbury, Beltran and Alfonso Soriano.

“The DH is there to protect everybody,” Cashman said. “It’s a device Joe [Girardi] can use to keep everyone fresh.”

Ellsbury, though, is expected to hold down center field and Cashman defended the move Sunday.

“He’s a dynamic center fielder and leadoff guy,” Cashman said. “He can beat you with his legs, he can beat you with his bat and he can beat you with his defense.”

Cashman is hoping to make more maneuvers quickly.

“We’re having a lot of conversations and have a lot of work to do,” Cashman said. “We’re trying to get things done sooner rather than later, but it takes time.”