George A. King III had a few interesting pieces of info in his article this morning, here's the rundown. King said that Cashman still doesn't have a concrete idea about the free agent market. The team has still not had their meetings but "will chair the pro scout meetings that start tomorrow, so the Yankees may know better what the markets -- trade and free agency -- look like."
He also said that John Lackey's reps contacted the Yankees, but that another agent speculated that Lackey could get a deal like the seven-year, $126 deal Barry Zito got in 2007. If that's the case there's no way the Yanks will do that.
He mentions Ben Sheets as a backup plan. Cashman told him "We will go through the scouting reports and see where the market is.
"After we decide what it is, that will determine if we have less or more (interest)."
According to Sheets' agent, Dr. James Andrews said that Sheets will be 100% by the beginning of spring training. If he is actually 100% healthy, signing him to an incentive-laden deal would probably be a smart move.
There was also this quote about Curtis Granderson: "Acquiring Tigers center fielder and left-handed hitter Curtis Granderson is an intriguing option, even if it means parting with Joba Chamberlain." I'm not sure I'm too content with the idea of giving up Joba for him. Do the Yankees really need Granderson that badly? I don't think so.
