Sweeny: Notes And Observations From The Winter Meetings

By Sweeny Murti
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Brian Cashman usually stresses patience in the offseason, and that seems to be the course he's taking again this year, even as his team has more glaring needs than normal.

After Monday's news about A-Rod's hip surgery knocking him out for most -- if not all -- of the first half of the season, teams and agents, as expected, came calling to offer Cashman a solution. They ranged from interesting to not interesting at all, and Cashman said that there was "one irresponsible ask" from a team that he will not be speaking to again (about this particular deal -- not ever again).

So in the midst of urgency to fill holes and the need to be patient, we find Cashman hoping for the best answers he can find:

Cashman has prioritized his needs pretty clearly, too:

Feeling comfortable with the catcher position, Cashman has indicated that he does not want to sacrifice the defense he already has with some combination of Chris Stewart, Francisco Cervelli and Austin Romine for the potential extra offense available on the market (perhaps A.J. Pierzynski).

Joe Girardi offered his take on the catching situation and his comfort level with what the Yankees have in-house:

Girardi also addressed -- SURPRISE! -- A-Rod's hip injury, how he found out about it during the American League Division Series and the Yankees' options moving forward:

*David Wright's contract was made official on Tuesday night. He will be in Nashville for a Wednesday press conference.

*The Mets are asking for too much, one GM said here, in regard to R.A. Dickey and trade possibilities. The Mets are targeting the top prospect in nearly every organization they speak with. The Royals don't appear eager to trade Wil Myers for Dickey, so a match there might be unlikely.

*Jonathon Niese is not being discussed at the present time as a trade option. That could always change, of course, but several Major League executives have questioned why the Mets would even consider trading a young lefty signed to a reasonable contract.

*The big-ticket free agents -- Zack Greinke and Josh Hamilton -- are still on the board. The Dodgers are still considered the favorite for Greinke. And the Rangers could get a final crack at Hamilton, who will give Texas a chance to top whatever offer he gets.

Tune in on Wednesday night from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. as Ed Coleman and I bring you special coverage from the Winter Meetings on 660 AM, 101.9 FM and WFAN.com.

Will the Yankees make any moves before the meetings conclude? Sound off with your thoughts and predictions in the section below...

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• Alex Rodriguez
• New York Yankees
• New York Mets