DALLAS — The Yankees may be extra motivated to acquire lefty starter John Danks from White Sox.
Danks, who can be a free agent following the season, is on the Red Sox’s radar and would bolster a Boston rotation that is more unsettled than the Yankees’.
The Red Sox also have talked to the rebuilding White Sox about right-hander Gavin Floyd.
A team talking to the A’s about reliever and Wagner College product Andrew Bailey says the price on starter Gio Gonzalez is exorbitant and one the Yankees aren’t likely to pay.
“They want your best two pitching prospects who are ready for the big leagues, an outfielder and would like to get a fourth player,’’ a club executive said of the A’s desires for the left-handed Gonzalez.
For the past month, GM Brian Cashman has insisted the price tag for free agents and pitchers in the trade market has been too rich for the Yankees in terms of dollars and talent.
Using the executives’ formula, the A’s would want Yankees pitching prospects Manuel Banuelos and Dellin Betances to start the deal.
The Yankees might use Betances as part of a package to get Danks, but giving up Banuelos and Betances in the same deal seems unlikely.
Cashman didn’t seem too upset that free agent lefty Mark Buehrle took four years and $58 million from the Marlins.
“We had early conversations,’’ the GM said of Buehrle. “I didn’t have conversations at all this week.’’
As for progress in getting an arm, Cashman said, “I am not in position to tell you that I am optimistic.’’
* Yankees were awarded the negotiating rights to Seibu Lions 29-year-old shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima yesterday. The Yankees made a posting bid of $2 million they get back if they don’t sign Nakajima, whom they view as a possible utility infielder.
The Yankees have 30 days to sign Nakajima to a major- or minor-league deal. If they fail, Nakajima returns to Japan.
“He is someone who can play up the middle,’’ said Cashman, who said his interest in Nakajima isn’t to sign him and then deal. “We are impressed with his ability.’’
Joe Girardi and Cashman said there is room on the roster for Eduardo Nunez and Nakajima.
* Yankees have talked to agent Tom O’Connell about reliever Manny Corpas, who missed the 2011 season due to Tommy John surgery.
* There is a growing belief among people with ties to Japanese baseball that 25-year-old right-hander Yu Darvish won’t be coming to America even if he is posted by the Nippon Ham Fighters before the March 1 deadline.
“I would put it at 50-50. He doesn’t burn to play in the big leagues like other Japanese players and he makes about $6 million in salary and almost that in endorsements, so he doesn’t need the money,’’ a source familiar with Darvish said.
* Girardi hinted he might want to look at Jesus Montero at first base during spring training, but the manager and Cashman agree it wouldn’t be at the expense of furthering Montero’s development as a catcher.
Cashman also ruled out any plans for Montero playing in the outfield.
* Cashman said “We might be’’ when asked if the Yankees were going to be active in today’s Rule 5 draft. Players not protected on 40-man rosters are eligible to be chosen but they have to remain with the team taking them for the entire 2012 season or be offered back to the original club.