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The Yankees' pursuit of starting pitching could come into play at the Winter Meetings this week, as the team has contacted the Cincinnati Reds about right-hander Homer Bailey. Bailey is an impending free agent that the Reds could look to unload for help elsewhere on the diamond. In 209.0 innings last season, Bailey pitched to a 3.49 ERA for the Wild Card-winning Reds.
Rumors have been circulating for days that the Yankees could look to unload some of their newfound outfield depth, namely Brett Gardner, to obtain Bailey. Both players will be free agents at the end of next season and the Yankees have Alfonso Soriano, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Carlos Beltran signed to deals for 2014. That is, of course, in addition to expendable parts like Vernon Wells and Ichiro Suzuki, neither of which projects to be a starting outfielder next year.
Daniel Barbarisi of the Wall Street Journal reported the Yankees' interest in Bailey, but said it was unknown whether or not Gardner was discussed as the return. Barbarisi notes that a Gardner for Bailey swap makes a lot of sense.
Brian Cashman did not attend the Winter Meetings yesterday after he went rappelling in Connecticut on Sunday night, so expect any Yankee moves to happen today through Thursday after he arrives. The Yankees' GM has stated that he was looking for 400 innings to add to the starting rotation this offseason. If Masahiro Tanaka can't be obtained, Bailey might provide half of what Cashman was looking for without having to pay the premium prices of Matt Garza or Ubaldo Jimenez.
