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The Winter Meetings started on Monday and the Yankees have plenty of business to attend to. Finding starting pitching, a second baseman, and third baseman are among their biggest priorities. While there are plenty of useful free agents still out there, the Yankees are more likely to pursue a trade before looking at the open market.
New York's most valuable trade piece is Brett Gardner and it's possible that they could use him to get a starting pitcher. According to Yankees' beat writer Andy McCullough, "rival executives say the most likely return for Yankees in a Gardner trade would be a No. 4 starter. A No. 3 would be a great get, they say." The Giants are just one of the teams that have expressed interest in the center fielder, but a source believes a trade between the two is "not likely, but not impossible." The Giants don't have the major league-caliber pitching for a trade that makes sense and any major league-ready prospects they could offer would likely cost more than just Gardner.
The Yankees have also talked to second baseman Brian Roberts, though they may just be kicking the tires. Even with Robinson Cano now gone, Roberts would not be an ideal replacement because he hasn't played a full healthy season since 2009.
In their search for bullpen arms, the Yankees have remained in contact with lefty Boone Logan. They still might ultimately end up going with their internal options of Vidal Nuno and Cesar Cabral for a LOOGY, but keeping their options open is a good idea.
