Brian Cashman, Yankees in no rush to jump into free agency

Brian Cashman was a busy man when free agency started last season, making the Yankees among the first teams to touch base with Cliff Lee's agent just after midnight and flying to Arkansas three days later to meet with the pitcher.

Cashman's plans for 12:01 a.m. Thursday when free agency officially started this offseason?

"I plan to be sleeping," the general manager said Wednesday.

That isn't, of course, to say the Yankees are planning to sit out free agency. There are areas of need, just as there were last season.

Although the Yankees' approach to free agency this offseason is similar to last -- once again it's all about "pitching, pitching, pitching," to use Cashman's words -- their avenue to securing that is likely to be far different.

The first reason, obviously, is no pitcher of Lee's caliber is available on the market. One that might have been, CC Sabathia, was extended by the Yankees Monday night, avoiding the circus that might have ensued if the lefthander became a free agent and automatically allowing Cashman to cross priority No. 1 off his list.

It also lets Cashman look at this year's free agent and trade markets without an air of desperation.

"Securing CC in that way allows us to be very open-minded and cautious in our approach," Cashman said.

The existing rotation of Sabathia, Ivan Nova, A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes needs depth. Hector Noesi, who is highly thought of in the organization and is pitching in the Dominican League, could be in the mix for a starting spot, as could David Phelps, who is pitching in the Arizona Fall League.

The Yankees will consider re-signing Freddy Garcia, who went 12-8 with a 3.62 ERA in 146 2/3 innings, and they will also look at a weak free-agent class.

The top free-agent pitcher available is Rangers lefthander C.J. Wilson, who went 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA this season before having a rough postseason. There isn't consensus within the organization regarding just how good Wilson is, but if the pitcher's price comes down as the process plays out, there would be interest.

Among the next level of free-agent starters are Mark Buehrle, Edwin Jackson, Hiroki Kuroda and Roy Oswalt. Despite a report Wednesday stating otherwise, the Yankees have not ruled out going after the 34-year-old Oswalt, who is 159-93 with a 3.21 ERA in 11 seasons but had back issues this year that limited him to 23 starts. However, his back is thought to be healthy -- he was 2-1 with a 2.61 ERA his last three starts in September -- and, if a reasonable deal can be had, Oswalt could be an option.

But with Sabathia back in the fold, the Yankees aren't charging into free agency checkbooks blaring.

"We're in a position now to take our time," Cashman said.