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NEW YORK -- For weeks, every Yankees executive within spitting distance of a microphone or notebook has attempted to make this part of the club's blueprint precisely clear: Moving forward into the offseason, adding starting pitching is the No. 1 priority.
So hold off on those fantasy lineups where Manny Ramirez hits behind Alex Rodriguez, at least for now. The Yankees' first order of winter business is to upgrade their rotation, something general manager Brian Cashman hopes to get the ball rolling, as the General Managers Meetings continue this week at the St. Regis Monarch Beach resort in Dana Point, Calif.
"I just know that we need starting pitching, and it's not just one," Cashman told reporters on Monday. "We're not going to be one and done. We need multiple."
Cashman has vowed to scour both the free-agent market and the trade front to acquire starting pitching. While CC Sabathia is widely reported to remain the Yankees' top target -- as co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said, they're certainly not alone -- some good news came the Bombers' way on Monday via Cashman's friend, Padres GM Kevin Towers.
Towers told reporters that Peavy had listed the Yankees among the clubs he would accept a trade to, though the ace's preference remains to be dealt to a National League club.
At least five NL teams are on the right-hander's short list of clubs where he would go in a potential deal, with the Braves believed to lead the pack of the Astros, Cardinals, Cubs and Dodgers. The Angels are the only other American League club that Peavy would accept a trade to.
A swap for the 27-year-old Peavy will have the accepting club taking on $63 million in salary over the next four years. The Padres are looking to cut payroll by more than $15 million, while searching for a veteran second baseman, across-the-board bullpen help and more offensive production.
"If we trade, it's going to have to be a lot [in return]; it's going to be significant," Towers said.
Second baseman Robinson Cano could help anchor a trade package for Peavy if San Diego is willing to take on his deal, which has three years and $27 million remaining, plus two club option years. Cashman also told reporters that the Yankees have had interest from other clubs in outfielders Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner and Austin Jackson.
The Yankees are in prime position to restock their roster, shedding approximately $85 million in payroll this winter. That could help them be players for Sabathia, who received an introductory offer from the Brewers on Monday, believed to be in the neighborhood of $100 million.
It is thought that Sabathia will eventually entertain clubs as a free agent, however, and his eventual salary could surpass the six-year, $137.5 million contract extension that Johan Santana received in February from the Mets. But he, too, is believed to favor the NL and the West Coast, two factors that would not work in the Yankees' favor.
The Bombers also have interest in A.J. Burnett, whose representatives are expected to meet with the Blue Jays on Tuesday to discuss a possible extension. Until Burnett officially opts out of his deal, his agents cannot speak with other clubs. Teams are not permitted to discuss financial terms with free agents on other clubs until Nov. 14, though they may express their interest.
Cashman told reporters that, as currently constituted, he counts only Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain as definite members of the Yankees' 2009 rotation.
Mike Mussina is contemplating retirement and, while Andy Pettitte said he would like to pitch at the new Yankee Stadium, the left-hander has not committed 100 percent to pitching next year and the Bombers have not made an official decision on bringing him back.
In obtaining talent, the Yankees could also go off the map. The New York Daily News reported on Tuesday that Cashman would even consider bringing back Carl Pavano for a fifth year in pinstripes.
Pavano signed a four-year, $39.95 million contract after the 2004 season, but that marriage produced only nine victories as the righty was unable to stay on the field. The newspaper said that Cashman would eye Pavano to fill out the back end of the rotation.
Acquiring a bat like that of Ramirez's or first baseman Mark Teixeira appears to be a secondary concern, though the Yankees will remain in contact. The Yankees scored just 789 runs -- seventh in the AL -- in 2008, but they believe that was more due to key injuries and underproduction than a glaring need.
Speaking in general terms, Cashman told reporters, "I'm not ruling anything out. We have needs, so we'll have to go to the marketplace, be it through free agency or through trades, to fill those needs."
So hold off on those fantasy lineups where Manny Ramirez hits behind Alex Rodriguez, at least for now. The Yankees' first order of winter business is to upgrade their rotation, something general manager Brian Cashman hopes to get the ball rolling, as the General Managers Meetings continue this week at the St. Regis Monarch Beach resort in Dana Point, Calif.
"I just know that we need starting pitching, and it's not just one," Cashman told reporters on Monday. "We're not going to be one and done. We need multiple."
Cashman has vowed to scour both the free-agent market and the trade front to acquire starting pitching. While CC Sabathia is widely reported to remain the Yankees' top target -- as co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said, they're certainly not alone -- some good news came the Bombers' way on Monday via Cashman's friend, Padres GM Kevin Towers.
Towers told reporters that Peavy had listed the Yankees among the clubs he would accept a trade to, though the ace's preference remains to be dealt to a National League club.
At least five NL teams are on the right-hander's short list of clubs where he would go in a potential deal, with the Braves believed to lead the pack of the Astros, Cardinals, Cubs and Dodgers. The Angels are the only other American League club that Peavy would accept a trade to.
A swap for the 27-year-old Peavy will have the accepting club taking on $63 million in salary over the next four years. The Padres are looking to cut payroll by more than $15 million, while searching for a veteran second baseman, across-the-board bullpen help and more offensive production.
"If we trade, it's going to have to be a lot [in return]; it's going to be significant," Towers said.
Second baseman Robinson Cano could help anchor a trade package for Peavy if San Diego is willing to take on his deal, which has three years and $27 million remaining, plus two club option years. Cashman also told reporters that the Yankees have had interest from other clubs in outfielders Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner and Austin Jackson.
The Yankees are in prime position to restock their roster, shedding approximately $85 million in payroll this winter. That could help them be players for Sabathia, who received an introductory offer from the Brewers on Monday, believed to be in the neighborhood of $100 million.
It is thought that Sabathia will eventually entertain clubs as a free agent, however, and his eventual salary could surpass the six-year, $137.5 million contract extension that Johan Santana received in February from the Mets. But he, too, is believed to favor the NL and the West Coast, two factors that would not work in the Yankees' favor.
The Bombers also have interest in A.J. Burnett, whose representatives are expected to meet with the Blue Jays on Tuesday to discuss a possible extension. Until Burnett officially opts out of his deal, his agents cannot speak with other clubs. Teams are not permitted to discuss financial terms with free agents on other clubs until Nov. 14, though they may express their interest.
Cashman told reporters that, as currently constituted, he counts only Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain as definite members of the Yankees' 2009 rotation.
Mike Mussina is contemplating retirement and, while Andy Pettitte said he would like to pitch at the new Yankee Stadium, the left-hander has not committed 100 percent to pitching next year and the Bombers have not made an official decision on bringing him back.
In obtaining talent, the Yankees could also go off the map. The New York Daily News reported on Tuesday that Cashman would even consider bringing back Carl Pavano for a fifth year in pinstripes.
Pavano signed a four-year, $39.95 million contract after the 2004 season, but that marriage produced only nine victories as the righty was unable to stay on the field. The newspaper said that Cashman would eye Pavano to fill out the back end of the rotation.
Acquiring a bat like that of Ramirez's or first baseman Mark Teixeira appears to be a secondary concern, though the Yankees will remain in contact. The Yankees scored just 789 runs -- seventh in the AL -- in 2008, but they believe that was more due to key injuries and underproduction than a glaring need.
Speaking in general terms, Cashman told reporters, "I'm not ruling anything out. We have needs, so we'll have to go to the marketplace, be it through free agency or through trades, to fill those needs."
