Patrick Corbin's family may be helping the Yankees make their recruiting pitch, but Brian Cashman realizes it ultimately will not be a deciding factor.
The Yankees GM dismissed the notion that Corbin's family -- Yankees fans from upstate New York -- could help steer him toward the Bronx.
"I think their Yankee allegiances are appreciated," Cashman told Ken Davidoff of the New York Post on Friday. "But usually in this process, the thing that's most important is ... the financial opportunities that exist at various locales weight heavily in the decision-making process."
Corbin, 29, met with the Yankees on Thursday to conclude a week of meeting with suitors, which included the Phillies and Nationals.
His brother reportedly made a pitch for the Bronx Bombers at Corbin's wedding earlier this month, putting on a Yankees hat during his best man toast, according to The Athletic.
"He didn't volunteer that," Cashman said. "My understanding is it was more more of a tongue-in-cheek (thing). At the very least, we know we ahve people rooting for us, but at the end of the day, there's going to be a lot of competition because he's obviously a talented peson. But there's also a lot of other options, too."
The southpaw is expected to garner a six-year offer in the ballpark of $130 million following a year in which he went 11-7 with a career-best 3.15 ERA (2.47 FIP) and career-high 246 strikeouts and 11.1 K/9 ratio.
Cashman was mum on how things transpired between the free agent and the Yankees, other than saying "he left here knowing a lot more about us than when he arrived."
The Yankees GM has been clear that starting pitching is a priority this offseason and would not necessarily wait on a decision from Corbin before exploring other options.
"I never said we are waiting," he said.
SNY's Andy Martino reported that the wo sides were not close to a deal and that the Yankees still like 36-year-old veteran J.A. Happ as an alternative.
However, Martino also reported the meetings were informational in nature and did not involve serious contract negotiations.