Cashman touches base with agents

Though Brian Cashman contacted agents over the weekend, including C.J. Wilson's, the Yankees aren't making offers yet. "I think we're a long way away," a club official said Monday.

Cashman said the nature of his talks with agents at this point are mostly of the "mark me down for further conversation" in the future. "I'm not in negotiation mode yet," he added.

Other pitchers Cashman has kicked the tires on include Roy Oswalt -- whose agent, Bob Garber, also represents Wilson -- Edwin Jackson and Hiroki Kuroda. Mark Buehrle's agent, Jeff Berry, did not return a call Monday but was quoted last week saying his client would be open to pitching in New York, though the Yankees aren't sure.

"It always helps when the Yankees are involved," the official said, as that typically drives up a free agent's price. "I'm told he wants to stay with the White Sox, that's his first priority."

Buehrle's next choice is thought to be St. Louis, near his hometown of St. Charles, Mo. But that doesn't mean the Yankees aren't interested in the 32-year-old lefthander. Buehrle, 161-119 with a 3.83 ERA in 12 seasons with the White Sox, including 13-9 with a 3.59 ERA in 2011, has pitched at least 201 innings in each of the last 11 seasons, including 205 1/3 this year.

"He's one of those guys, depending on what happens, maybe an opportunity opens up down the road," the official said.

The Yankees were interested in Kuroda in July before the righthander invoked his no-trade clause with the Dodgers. They are looking at him again, though it still is not known if Kuroda, who turns 37 in February, would be interested in joining them. Kuroda, 41-46 with a 3.45 ERA in four seasons with the Dodgers, including 13-16 with a 3.07 ERA in 2011, might decide to return to Japan if he can't re-sign with the Dodgers.

Wilson, 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA in 2011, is the best of a weak pitching market. The Yankees are interested, at the right price.

Yankees eye Cuban star

The Yankees are among the teams that have extensively scouted Cuban star Yoenis Cespedes, a power-hitting centerfielder who defected last summer and is expected to be declared a free agent. He is believed to be 26. Cashman declined to comment, but Baseball America reported the Yankees worked him out Monday. According to Yahoo! Sports, the Phillies, Marlins, Blue Jays, Giants, Nationals, Indians, A's and Pirates also will be suitors for Cespedes.