C.J. Wilson has won 31 games in his two seasons as a starter for the Rangers, becoming one of the best lefties in the game and perhaps the most sought-after free-agent pitcher this offseason.
But those may not be the numbers the Yankees will focus on when it comes to deciding how heavily they will pursue Wilson.
Instead, the fact he’s 1-5 in the postseason and could cost more than they are willing to spend — because there is a lack of top-tier starters on the market this winter — will be more significant.
Asked how much of a factor Wilson’s playoff struggles would be, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman replied: “I wouldn’t say. He’s a very talented pitcher, who’s shown he cán perform in a hitters’ environment in Texas.”
Becuase Cashman and the Yankees already have CC Sabathia secured to lead their rotation, they are not desperate for another ace, but they will look at Wilson.
“We haven’t talked to him yet, but we will,” Cashman said. “They have won a lot and he’s been a big part of that, so we’ll certainly talk to him.”
The fact the 30-year-old has lost his last five playoff decisions will surely come up during the conversation, but that’s not something that concerns Wilson’s agent, Bob Garber.
“His body of work speaks for itself,” Garber said. “He’s a No. 1 starter and he’s proven himself on a big stage. There’s no reason he couldn’t do that in New York, so we’re open-minded and that would include the Yankees in the process.”
The Yankees could also look at other free agents to improve their rotation, which Cashman has said will be a priority this offseason.
Alternatives like Mark Buehrle, Edwin Jackson or Roy Oswalt, another Garber client, whose troublesome back is “fine,” according to the agent, are among the possibilities.
But the biggest prize figures to be Wilson, who was 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA last year before going 0-3 in the postseason, as the Rangers fell one win short of a World Series title.
Cashman reiterated the Yankees’ decision could come down to what other offers Wilson gets.
“The biggest thing with him is to see where their numbers are and their expectations and see if they fit,” Cashman said of Wilson, who spent the first five years of his major league career coming out of the bullpen. “But he’s definitely a front-line type of guy.”