Both Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg will be on the open market this offseason, and according to Yankees' general manager Brian Cashman, the team will be looking at one or both of the starting pitchers.
Speaking to reporters at the GM Meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz., Cashman knows the price will be high, but says the team will certainly do their due dilligence when it comes inquiring about the right-handers.
"We're going to talk to Strasburg. We're going to talk to Cole," Cashman said. "We're going to talk to the higher-end guys and talk to some surprise guys I'm sure. It's hard to predict, but obviously anybody would have interest in players like that.
Cashman also mentioned that he's been given no directive by ownership to remain under the luxury tax threshold.
The general manager was also asked about a trio of Yankees who are hitting free agency, and while it appears they're not writing off bringing back Brett Gardner, Didi Gregorius and/or Dellin Betances, Cashman gave little insight into what the team's plans for the three in 2020 might be.
On Gardner: We've talked to Gardy's agents. He's a free agent and we've had a very longstanding and successful relationship. We'll see if that continue or not. I'm sure there's a lot of competition.
On Gregorius: Didi's been a tremendous player for us. He stepped into some tremendous shoes for us and has been a very successful player here. Both [Gardner and Gregorius] have had a lot of say in our success.
On Betances: He's been a tremendous Yankee. He's been a homegrown guy and an elite reliever. He's a special person and a great talent.
For what it's worth, SNY's Andy Martino has reported that the Yankees are not expected to pursue Gregorius very aggresively.