Cashman Talks Extensions, Limitations, Outfield

New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman updated Marc Carig of The Star-Ledger on his team’s prospects for the upcoming July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, potential extensions with second baseman Robinson Cano and center fielder Curtis Granderson, and the club’s outfield situation:

General manager Brian Cashman stayed on message regarding the trade deadline. Short version: the Yankees don't want to pay the price to make improvements that they believe to be "marginal."

Cashman wouldn't rule out some activity before the July 31 trade deadline, though he said he's "very skeptical" about the chances of finding improvements on the market.

These statements apparently include the Yankees’ left field situation. Veterans Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones have manned left for a majority of the season. Each player has performed well this year, but Cashman has said he doesn’t want to lean too heavily on either as to wear them out down the stretch.

New York is hoping the pending return of outfielder Brett Gardner can help this cause. However, even if Gardner isn’t able to come back, Cashman told Carig that he’d rather "gamble on Ibanez and Jones holding up in the outfield than overspend to acquire another piece."

Cashman also touched on sluggers Cano and Granderson, noting that New York could potentially break "the club’s longstanding policy" by exploring contract extensions with the All-Stars this winter. Carig adds that if the Yankees were able to lock the two up, it would help them make future decisions regarding staying under the luxury tax threshold and thus avoiding penalties.