Cashman has budget, ready to go to work
Photo credit: Getty Images | Brian Cashman has called Curtis Granderson and Nick Johnson "true character guys."
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Brian Cashman finally is ready to start talking dollars and cents with agents. The Yankees concluded 2½ days of organizational meetings Friday, and their general manager left Tampa with a better sense of what he'll be able to do.
"We basically have a set budget now," Cashman said before flying back to New York late Friday afternoon. "Now I can attack the marketplace knowing what I have to spend."
The winter meetings in Indianapolis begin Monday, when what has been a relatively drab offseason is expected to pick up some. Cashman's exact point of attack for Indy, and the rest of the offseason, isn't known, though a source confirmed the intent is for the Yankees to reduce their payroll from the $201 million they spent last season.
Cashman didn't specify the budget he was given by ownership but repeated what he's said often this offseason: The first order of business will be addressing the Yankees' primary free agents - Andy Pettitte, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui.
"I have a good idea of what they're looking for," Cashman said of the trio. "Now we'll prioritize and see where it takes us."
The Yankees are keeping a close eye on the Roy Halladay situation and could make a trade offer for the Blue Jays' ace. Depending on what happens with Pettitte, they could bid for John Lackey, the biggest name among the free-agent pitchers. The Yankees don't have as much interest in big-name outfielders Matt Holliday and Jason Bay, though the club never can be ruled out of any scenario.
"We'll make the best decisions possible," Cashman said.
One of the key decisions he made last year around this time was, after the winter meetings in Las Vegas, flying to Houston to get Pettitte back.
"If I feel that's necessary, that's what I'll do," Cashman said. "I'll fly to see anybody if I think it's necessary."
He said he has not yet spoken with Pettitte, who has yet to announce if he'll pitch in 2010.
As for the prevailing thought that the Yankees need to get younger, Cashman didn't say one way or the other.
"I think the Yankees always have to get better, and there are many ways to get better," he said. "If they're the right young guys, you get better."
Cashman listed young players, including Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Robinson Cano, with whom the Yankees have had success.
"You have to get better with the right players," he said. "Our mission is just to get better."
