The LoHud Yankees Blog

Agent Don Nomura just posted on Twitter that Japanese starter Yu Darvish will be posted tomorrow. I have to assume that means on Thursday, but obviously I’m not sure. Although I can’t read Darvish’s blog, Dylan Hernandez reports that Darvish himself confirmed that he’ll be posted. 

The Yankees have been scouting Darvish heavily since 2008. His availability changes the pitching market at a time when significant pieces are finally starting to come off the board.

Late word from Mark Feinsand, who reports that Andruw Jones wants to come back to New York and a deal could be finished in the coming weeks. Jones seems like a good fit for the Yankees, and he seemed like a popular guy in the clubhouse.

A few other late notes and links from Day Three…

• Daily News Mets beat writer Andy Martino reports that the Yankees are one of the teams that contacted the Mets about starter Jonathon Niese, but Martino says the Yankees conversations were “preliminary.” That fits with everything Brian Cashman has been saying the past few days.

• David Ortiz has accepted arbitration with the Red Sox. He’ll be back as their designated hitter for at least one more season.

• Staying in the AL East, the Orioles believe they will be able to make a move – maybe more than one move — during tomorrow’s final day of the Winter Meetings.

• After Heath Bell, Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle, the Marlins might also get C.J. Wilson. Think they have a chance of making a “most improved” list by spring training?

• Odd that there’s been little mention of Prince Fielder this offseason. Agent Scott Boras said tonight that he has several offers for the big first baseman. 

UPDATE, 12:27 a.m.: Maybe this was expected if you follow the Pirates, but it surprised me. The Pirates have released former Yankees right-hander Ross Ohlendorf. 

The Yankees know what they’re getting into with Hiroyuki Nakajima. Of course there’s a chance his Japanese success won’t translate, but the Yankees have been watching him for several years. He was Japan’s shortstop in the 2008 Olympics and the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He’s been the captain of the Seibu Lions, and this year he hit .297 with 16 homers and 100 RBIs this season. Brian Cashman called him a “high character” guy.

Based on a few conversations today, here’s what I know about Nakajima: He knows how to manage the strike zone, he’s shown flashes of power, and he’s athletic enough to move around the infield. Cashman didn’t pretend he’s a superior defender, but said he can play shortstop, third base and second base.

“It’s an area for us to pursue talent,” Cashman said. “It’s having access to a middle-of-the-diamond type player, and in this game, that’s becoming rarer and rarer on a yearly basis… He’s not a starter for us. That doesn’t mean he’s not a starting player, but we have players that are better than him that are signed.”

Cashman agreed with Joe Girardi that there could be room on the big league roster for both Nakajima and Eduardo Nunez.

A few things to remember…

• The Yankees only pay the posting fee if they actually sign Nakajima. If he doesn’t agree to terms the Yankees find acceptable, they can move on, no harm done.

• The CBA restricts future international spending. This might be a good time to spend a relatively small amount of money on a depth move like this.

• Shortstop is a fairly thin spot in the Yankees system. Beyond Nunez, the Yankees have Ramiro Pena — who’s obviously limited with the bat — but they don’t have another touted shortstop prospect remotely close to the big leagues. Next closest is probably Cito Culver, who still hasn’t played in a full-season league.

• Nunez can play the outfield, and that adds some flexibility. If Nakajima fills the Eric Chavez role, the Yankees would still have room on their bench for a third catcher, a fourth outfielder and Nunez. Not saying that’s going to happen, just saying that would be enough for the Yankees to be covered with two backups at every position.

So what’s next?

The Yankees have until January 6 to negotiate a deal. Cashman wouldn’t guarantee a spot on the big league roster, but it seems clear — especially given his age — that the Yankees believe he has the potential to immediately help at the big league level.

“The purpose of this process was not for a sign-and-trade,” Cashman said. “I don’t even know if we can or can’t do that. If we sign him, we plan on adding his talents to this franchise, going to big-league camp and seeing where it takes us.”

Associated Press photo

Now that Mark Buehrle has reportedly landed with the Marlins, Brian Cashman was willing to admit that he had only very early conversations with Buehrle’s camp, and didn’t talk about the pitcher at all here in Dallas.

“I think he’s a heck of a pitcher,” Cashman said. “But given our current situation, that’s not an area that I can fill.”

It hardly comes as a surprise that Cashman said he’s still nowhere near a deal of any kind. The Yankees will begin trying to work out a contract with Hiroyuki Nakajima — and Cashman said there are opportunities that interest him — but nothing is close to happening.

The Yankees “might be” active in tomorrow’s Rule 5 draft, but it sounds like that’s the extent of their action here in Dallas.

“I’m not in a position right now to tell you I’m optimistic on anything,” Cashman said. “There’s not a person in here that should beat you on something that’s really significant right now. If someone’s got something that’s so dramatic that it’s going to play loudly, I would say it’s most likely inaccurate.”

Joe Girardi just spoke to the media, addressing a fairly large crowd for about 20 minutes. The early minutes focused on Hiroyiki Nakajima, the Japanese shortstop the Yankees will now negotiate with to try to settle on a contract to bring him to the States.

“This is about acquiring talent,” Girardi said.

Girardi said there is “definitely” room on the big league roster for both Nakajima and Eduardo Nunez, a roster construction that would essentially give the Yankees two utility infielders. Girardi once again indicated that Nunez could be used in the outfield next year, and he said that Nakajima — who’s been strictly a shortstop in Japan — will be asked to “do more” in regard to playing other positions.

By the way, Girardi pointed out that Nakajima was both the shortstop and the captain of his team in Japan. Someone else pointed out, the Yankees already have one of those.

A few other quick notes from Girardi before I head upstairs for Brian Cashman’s media availability.

• Girardi confirmed that the entire Yankees coaching staff will be back next season.

• Derek Jeter’s spot in the lineup next year? “I expect him to be our leadoff guy,” Girardi said.

• Girardi said he still hasn’t settled on a heart of the order for next year, but Robinson Cano is getting serious consideration in the No. 3 spot. It’s also possible the Yankees could do what they did at the end of last year and have one middle of the order against right-handers and a different middle of the order against lefties.

• Girardi said he doesn’t have an exact number of games he’d like to have Jeter and Alex Rodriguez in the field. A lot of that will depend on how they look during the season. That said, when he was asked whether Rodriguez could play 150 games next year, Girardi wasn’t optimistic. “I don’t know about 150,” he said.

• Although Jesus Montero isn’t assured a spot on the big league roster, Girardi said he expects that to happen. Montero is likely to be the regular designated hitter, but Girardi said he wouldn’t call Montero the “everyday” DH because other guys have to get time at that spot.

• Girardi said Montero will get some time behind the plate next year — and it’s entirely possible the team will carry a third catcher — but Girardi also said he’s brought up the idea of giving Montero some reps at first base (in batting practice or spring training) just in case the Yankees ever need him there. Right now, Girardi said, Nick Swisher would be the backup first baseman behind Mark Teixeira, but Girardi seems to like the idea of Montero at least working out at the position.

• Girardi left no doubt: “Russell (Martin)’s our everyday catcher.”

Associated Press photo

Just finished having lunch with Joe Girardi, an annual event at the Winter Meetings. It’s a very informal thing for beat writers and managers. We honestly talked more about Bryan Hoch running the New York City marathon than anything to do with the Yankees.

Girardi’s official media session is in a half hour. That’s when we’ll ask more about the team itself, including the possibility of a new utility man.

Major League Baseball just made it official that the Yankees won the right to negotiate with Hiroyuki Nakajima. Here’s the short release:

The Seibu Lions of Japan’s Pacific League have informed Major League Baseball that they have accepted the highest bid for the negotiating rights to 29-year-old shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima, it was announced today. The highest bid in the posting process was submitted by the New York Yankees.

The Yankees now have a period of 30 consecutive days to sign Nakajima to a Major or Minor League professional contract.

Confirmed that the Yankees have won the right to negotiate with Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima. The 29-year-old hit .313/.389/.491 in four years in Japan, and he was posted this offseason.

Nakajima wasn’t a massive name on the international market, but he adds some middle infield and possibly utility depth behind Eduardo Nunez.

In theory, this could open the possibility of trading Nunez, but it also could give the Yankees a fairly young middle infielder to stash in Triple-A. Beyond Nunez and light-hitting Ramiro Pena, there isn’t a lot of shortstop depth in the system until you get all the way into the lowest levels with Cito Culver.

UPDATE, 12:46 p.m.: Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees will pay roughly $2 million as the posting fee.

Albert Pujols remains the biggest story in baseball this morning, but the biggest story in the Yankees universe is the New York Post report that Brian Cashman has shopped A.J. Burnett on the trade market. 

Everyone had to assume that was the case, but George King added the detail that the Yankees are willing to eat $8 million of the $33 million Burnett is owed these next two years. Just my opinion, but that doesn’t seem like an all-out attempt to dump Burnett. I would guess — and this is absolutely nothing but a guess — that it would take twice that much money (eating $16 million or so) to trade him. Based on his past two years, would you take Burnett at two years, $25 million?

Also gaining some buzz is John Harper’s report that the Oakland asking price for Gio Gonzalez was Jesus Montero, Mason Williams and either Manny Banuelos or Dellin Betances. Yikes. Cashman said last night that there are pitching upgrades available, but only at prices that anyone would turn down. Looks like he’s right.

Other reports suggest both Philadelphia and Detroit have checked on Gonzalez.

As it stands, the Yankees are still quiet, and so is this media workroom as everyone waits for big news out of the Pujols camp.

Associated Press photo

Welcome to Day Three of the Winter Meetings, which feels more like Day Two for the late-arriving Yankees. This day starts with all eyes on Albert Pujols, who seems to be close to a decision about where he’ll play next year. He’s going to get a lot of money and a lot of years from someone.

But not the Yankees.

As expected, the Yankees are staying patient. Brian Cashman said yesterday that there are pitching upgrades available on the trade market, but he’s not willing to meet the current asking prices. That didn’t stop one executive from predicting the Yankees will eventually end up with Gio Gonzalez. 

For now it’s all speculation with the Yankees. Today is the last full day in Dallas, and everyone will begin to scatter quickly after tomorrow’s Rule 5 draft. If the Yankees are going to do something — anything — down here, it’s going to have to happen soon.

Tonight I went to a late dinner with a few other writers, one of whom covers the Mets. Needless to say, he didn’t stick around very long. In a flurry of moves tonight, the Mets added two players through trade and two more through free agency.

They sent Angel Pagan to the Giants for Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez, and the signed both Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco.

Most significant is the impact on the bullpen, which added three arms, including a new closer and setup man. Torres seems ready to replace Pagan in center field.

A few other non-Yankees stories from today.

• The big developing story of the day is obviously the Albert Pujols saga. The Marlins are making a push to continue their remarkably aggressive week, while the Cardinals have reportedly upped their offer to stay in the mix. The Cubs might also be involved.

• Looks like the Pirates are bringing back Nate McLouth.

• I like the Blue Jays trade for Sergio Santos. Given the free agent prices for closers, this looks like another smart move for a good young player in Toronto. Obviously the White Sox are beginning some sort of rebuilding.

• The Red Sox have re-signed starter Andrew Miller. The former first-round pick has never been as good as expected, but he matched a career-high with six wins for Boston last season.

• The Twins traded non-tender candidate Kevin Slowey to the Rockies for a player to be named later. Slowey was a solid starter in 2010, but he really struggled last year. Speaking of the Twins, they’ve reportedly offered a three-year deal to retain Michael Cuddyer.

• The Diamondbacks seem to be moving toward a deal with Lyle Overbay. Kevin Towers has acknowledged that a deal is close.

• Apparently the Indians have something significant in the works, but their GM isn’t saying what it is.

• A big congratulations to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun on winning the J.G. Taylor Spink Award.

Associated Press photo