Perhaps Yankees GM Brian Cashman is merely being thorough — and the possibility remains that if Didi Gregorius isn’t offered a multi-year deal worth upwards of $13.4 million AAV (as estimated by Sportrac), the Yanks would be willing to bring back their knight for a prove-it year, far less than the $17.8 million qualifying offer.
I mean, that’s the only reason I can fathom Cashman continuing dialogue with Gregorius’ agent. Otherwise, if the Yanks were genuinely comfortable with Gregorius, the QO would have been extended — especially because of the attached draft pick compensation.
But with most upper-echelon starting pitchers expected to fetch at least $22-25 million per season, New York was likely concerned Didi would take the QO and thereby cut into whatever payroll number Hal Steinbrenner has set this winter.