Much of the focus of the Yankees' offseason has been on their pursuit of Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg, but they also have big decisions to make on three of their own free agents.
Didi Gregorius (who the team did not extend a qualifying offer to), Brett Gardner, and Dellin Betances are all free to walk. And GM Brian Cashman doesn't seem ready to let all of them go.
Gregorius and Betances have the same agent, and Cashman said Thursday that the two sides sat down at the GM Meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz. to talk about Gregorius, with Betances "also in that conversation."
Betances, who missed almost the entire 2019 season due to shoulder and lat injuries and then suffered an Achilles injury in his first game back, has also been linked to the Mets.
As far as Gregorius, SNY's Andy Martino recently reported that the Yanks weren't expected to aggressively pursue him. Asked Thursday if a return of Gregorius was "less likely" or "more likely," Cashman wouldn't divulge.
"I can't tell you 'less likely, more likely,' he said. "I can just tell you Didi was a great player for us. He's a free agent now, so there's gonna be competition for his services. We will continue to engage and see if it leads to continuing a relationship or not. But up to this point we've been very fortunate and happy to have him as a member of our franchise. Maybe we'll be able to say that for a couple of years as well -- or not -- but that remains to be seen. I can't predict."
Gregorius, who struggled last season after returning from Tommy John surgery, has also drawn interest from the Reds.
When it came to Brett Gardner, Cashman was clear about the Yankees' desire to have him back, and wouldn't say whether he felt it would take more than a one-year deal to get it done.
"I wouldn't compromise our efforts to re-signing a player," Cashman said when asked about the potential length of contract Gardner could receive. "He just clearly put himself in a great position this free agent winter because of the year he's had. We've known how good Gardy has been and is for a long time. ... We'd love to have that continue."