Pursuit of one or more free-agent pitchers also is in the Yankees' plans.

Last winter, nine clubs committed a total of $166 million over 37 years for 10 free-agent starting pitchers.

Kevin Brown, currently the best available free-agent pitcher, will most likely command a much greater contract.

The Yankees have signed many free-agent pitchers over the years.

"We also have started to look at free-agent pitchers."

He could be the best available starter in a winter with a relatively thin class of free-agent pitchers.

They want another shot at some of the free-agent pitchers who have signed with other teams the past few weeks.

It is the best of times for free-agent pitchers.

The manager of the Yankees and the free-agent pitcher spoke for only about five minutes.

The club made three-year offers this week to both potential free-agent pitchers, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations.