General Manager Brian Cashman is currently in Orlando, Fla., as the hot stove will officially heat up this week at the GM meetings. The Yankees’ offseason plans will become more clear as Cashman begins to start dialogue with GM’s from other teams, as well as agents. Usually, the GM meetings serve as the groundwork for trades and signings that come later in the offseason – especially during the Winter meetings, which take place from Dec. 9-12.
The team will know the plans of Curtis Granderson, Hiroki Kuroda and Robinson Cano, who have until 5 pm Monday to accept or decline qualifying offers of just over $14 million. Granderson and Cano are expected to decline while Kuroda’s status is still unknown.
While the Yankees have maintained their desire to cut payroll to $189 million, they’ve said that it is a goal – not a mandate. There have been reports recently that they plan on targeting the top free agents this offseason in order to reload for 2014 after winning just 85 games this past season. Their first priority, however, is re-signng Cano. Next, would probably be Masahiro Tanaka – the Japanese import who has drawn comparisons to Yu Darvish. The Yankees are also said to be interested in catcher Brian McCann and outfielder Carlos Beltran.
While no deals are expected this week, we should hear some rumblings about what New York – and the other 29 times – plan to do this winter. It figures to be one of the busiest offseasons in Yankee history, so check back to Bronxpinstripes for all of the latest rumors and news.
