Major League Baseball

Yankees begin pursuit of Lee

Published Nov. 10, 2010 3:24 p.m. ET

Ken Rosenthal

If the Yankees are going to sign free-agent left-hander Cliff Lee, it would make sense that they would want to do it as quickly as possible.

At least one Yankees official flew to Arkansas on Wednesday to meet with Lee and his agent, Darek Braunecker, as first reported by MLBTradeRumors.com.

The Yankees have signaled from the start they will go “all-out” to sign Lee. The sooner they get an answer, the sooner they can map out the rest of their offseason.

If Lee signs with the Rangers or another club, the Yankees would move on to other pursuits – be it a trade for a lesser starting pitcher, the signing of a free-agent position player such as outfielder Carl Crawford or both.

The Rangers are in a similar position, preferring a rapid resolution on Lee – and the Rangers likely would stand a better chance than the Yankees of swinging a trade for a starting pitcher such as Royals right-hander Zack Grienke.

One thing is certain: The Yankees will go with younger catchers next season. Laura Posada, the wife of Jorge Posada, said on her Twitter and Facebook accounts Tuesday night that Posada will be the team’s DH.

If the Yankees do not add a veteran catcher, they will go with three younger candidates – Francisco Cervelli, Jesus Montero and Austin Romine – for two spots.