According to industry sources, the Yankees are going to pay the price for the Blue Jays and Mets signing B.J. Ryan and Billy Wagner, respectively.
While the Yanks have Mariano Rivera to close games, they are discovering that rebuilding their bullpen is being affected by the ocean of money the Blue Jays bestowed on Ryan (five years, $47M) and the Mets dumped on Wagner (four years, $43M).
Yesterday, the Yankees made progress in talks with Kyle Farnsworth, 29, and Tom Gordon, 38, although Gordon is a strong candidate to be Wagner’s replacement as the Phillies’ closer.
Julian Tavarez also is on the Yankees’ radar screen.
“I wouldn’t say,” GM Brian Cashman said when asked if he made offers to Farnsworth, Gordon or Tavarez. “We have been engaging a number of different guys.”
Agents for Farnsworth, Gordon and Tavarez did not return calls.
Before the closer market took off, pitchers such as Farnsworth, Gordon and Tavarez were slotted in the $4.5 million a year range. Now, they may be able to bag close to $6 million a season – especially with Bobby Howry getting a three-year, $12 million deal from the Cubs.
The Yankees have discussed internally a three-year deal worth $15 million and a four-year pact for $19 million for Farnsworth. Now, it’s not out of the question Farnsworth could get a three-year, $18 million package or a four-year deal worth $24 million.
As for Gordon, he has plenty of options. The Yankees would like to pair him with Farnsworth or Tavarez, but the Phillies, Baltimore and Cleveland are interested. So far the Phillies have shown the most interest in Gordon, who has pitched in 159 games for the Yankees the past two seasons. He made $3.75 million last year.
The Yankees continue to stay in touch with lefty specialist Mike Myers, who won’t command the money Farnsworth, Gordon and Tavarez will.
Seven teams are interested in the 36-year-old Myers but will wait to see if the Red Sox offer him arbitration before the Dec. 7 deadline.
STINNETT AGREES
TO YANK PACT
Kelly Stinnett is in and John Flaherty is out.
The journeyman Stinnett, 35, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Yankees to be Jorge Posada’s backup catcher, a role the popular Flaherty handled the past three seasons.
The Yankees had been talking to Todd Pratt and Stinnett, and late last night Pratt told friends the Yankees were going with Stinnett, who is three years younger than Pratt, a better defensive catcher and has experience handling Randy Johnson from his Arizona days.
Flaherty, who played a huge part in Johnson’s second half turnaround, has drawn interest from the Nationals and Phillies.
