New York Yankees Rumors: Update On Yankees Bids For David Price, Zack Greinke And Johnny Cueto

The New York Yankees are unlikely to make serious bids for elite free agent starting pitching this off -season, according to a NJ.com account of a CBS report.

The report originated from Jon Heyman of CBS, which outlines the Yankees likely moves as follows:

"¨The Yankees are interested in a right-handed bat, middle-relief help and perhaps one starter. Jeff Samardzija could be that guy, though apparently not Price, Johnny Cueto or Greinke. They aren’t high at the moment on $200 million deals for pitchers.¨ [related category]"

The Speculation by NJ.com is that the Yankees will shy away from David Price, Zack Greinke and Cueto due to the situations with CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka. Both received long-term deals with the Yankees. Sabathia will receive another $50 million from the Yankees through 2017. He has struggled to reach his prior form the last couple of seasons.

Tanaka received a seven year deal at $155 million. But he has battled injuries, leaving his consistent production for the remaining years of his contract unclear.

What is clear, is that the Yankees need elite pitching to rebound from their disappointing finish to the 2015 season. Should Tanaka, Luis Severino, Michael Pineda and Nathan Eovaldi grab the top four spots in the rotation, three of those four have battled injuries.

That alone should cause the Yankees to wake up and come to grips with the old adage that you never have enough pitching. Blaming Sabathia for not going after Price, Greinke or even Cueto is insane. George Steinbrenner knew that when he pursued Catfish Hunter and Don Gullett. Gullett had a 1.23 ERA against the Yankees in the 1976 World Series. George didn´t hesitate to go out and get him. Both Gullett and Hunter were proven post-season pitchers, and George knew that to beat the best you have to go and get the best.

That is not to knock Jeff Samardzija. Perhaps wearing the pinstripes and partnering with Larry Rothschild would bring out the best in him and help him fulfill his potential. Middle relief help and a right handed bat would also be welcome. But without dependable, elite starting pitching, the Yankees would just be throwing money into the wind.