Bulk of Yanks' offseason moves done at Meetings

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- As Brian Cashman grabbed the wheel and left the grounds of the Gaylord National Harbor Resort & Convention Center on Thursday morning, beginning a four-hour highway trek toward New York City, he did so believing that the Yankees' heavy winter lifting is "most likely" complete.
Just the formality of a physical exam stands between the Yankees and their prime winter target, left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman, as the game's hardest thrower agreed late Wednesday to a record-setting five-year, $86 million contract that will bring him back to the Bronx.
• Source: Yankees, Chapman agree to deal
The Yankees also finalized a one-year, $13 million deal with slugger Matt Holliday during these Winter Meetings, and those two splashes made the asphalt miles between the Potomac and Harlem Rivers well worth covering.
• Hot Stove Tracker
"Everybody always wants to be bright and right," Cashman said. "We're just trying to be bright about what we're doing and right in the end by everything we do. We try to use that consistently. If we're good at that enough over time, it'll serve us well."
Cashman arrived at the Winter Meetings saying that the Yankees needed to find a proven veteran bat in the wake of the Nov. 17 trade that shipped Brian McCann to the Astros, and at least two bullpen arms, with a Chapman reunion their stated priority because of his success in New York and the absence of an attached compensation Draft pick.
They also had interest in adding a starting pitcher, but Cashman learned during the Winter Meetings that the price tags are exorbitant given the thin market. As such, the Yanks are preparing for the likelihood that they will enter Spring Training with Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda and CC Sabathia as their only rotation locks.

Holliday's addition appears to finalize the position player side for New York, as he figures to see time at designated hitter, the corner outfield spots and first base. Cashman said that the Yankees are ready to "go with the kids" both at first base (Tyler Austin and Greg Bird) and in right field (Aaron Hicks and Aaron Judge).
The only major ripple between now and Feb. 14, when pitchers and catchers report to George M. Steinbrenner Field, could be a trade involving outfielder Brett Gardner. While Cashman has decided to hold onto third baseman Chase Headley, he said the Yankees continue to receive interest in Gardner.
"Unless I trade Gardy, the position players are set," Cashman said.
Deals done
The Yankees signed Holliday to a one-year, $13 million deal that includes a rare one-team no-trade clause, as he cannot be dealt to the Athletics. Chapman's five-year, $86 million pact includes an opt-out after the 2019 season, a full no-trade clause for the first three years and a limited no-trade for the final two. Chapman cannot be dealt to a California team.

• Holliday ready to rip for Yankees in any role
Goals accomplished
Cross the proven bat and the elite closer off the Yankees' wish list. Cashman had also tendered an offer to right-hander Kenley Jansen just in case things fell through with Chapman.
Unfinished business
They'd like to add one more reliever; one possibility is former Yankee Boone Logan, who is currently a free agent. A solid starting pitcher would be great, but they recognize that the asking prices seem prohibitive. If they can't, they'll have a competition for the final two rotation slots between Luis Cessa, Chad Green, Bryan Mitchell, Luis Severino and Adam Warren.
Rule 5 Draft
The Yankees were hit hard in Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, losing catcher Luis Torrens (Reds), right-hander Tyler Jones (D-backs), left-hander Caleb Smith (Brewers) and left-hander Tyler Webb (Pirates) in the Major League phase. Right-hander Ty Hensley (Rays), right-hander Kelvin Magallanes (Royals) and infielder Kevin Cornelius (Cubs) were selected in the Triple-A phase. The Yankees made two selections in the Triple-A phase: catcher Jorge Saez (Blue Jays) and right-hander Colten Brewer (Pirates).
• Yanks lose four in Majors phase of Rule 5 Draft
GM's bottom line
"We have more needs. The ability to execute as many things as possible is going to shrink if we conclude [the Chapman deal]. We won't really have that much to play with financially, but we still have more needs." -- Cashman