Yankees-Freddie Freeman talks to resume ASAP as transaction freeze ends

The New York Yankees have a new order of operations after nearly 100 days of sitting on their hands, blocked from improving their team in any way.

As of 6:00 PM EST on Thursday, March 10, New York’s braintrust will be able to join the rest of MLB in the pool as the league’s imposed transaction freeze is lifted — and they’ll have an awful lot to accomplish.

The Yankees are without a shortstop. They need center field insurance. They seem intent on trading first baseman Luke Voit. They could use 80, 100, 150, or 200 innings for the rotation, with Jameson Taillon on the shelf and Luis Severino a question mark.

According to multiple insiders, their first move could involve a swift pursuit of Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman.

Fresh off a World Championship, Freeman’s former team the Atlanta Braves messed around with their superstar’s contract status

before

the lockout, reportedly unwilling to go to a sixth year on their potential contract offer (which would’ve taken Freeman through his age-38 season).

Would the Yankees be willing to go that far and spread out the money? Or would Freeman prefer the type of High-AAV, short-term deal the Dodgers will likely have on the table for him? Regardless, New York seems ready to find out, and will resume talks with Freeman immediately.

Yankees Rumors: NYY will engage with Freddie Freeman after 6 PM deadline

As NJ.com’s Brendan Kuty retrieved:

"With the restart of free agency looming, the Yankees are expected to waste no time in contacting the representatives for star free agent first baseman Freddie Freeman, a person with knowledge of the situation told NJ Advance Media on Thursday.The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.“He’s definitely still on the table,” the person said."

Condition of anonymity! Let’s go!

But that’s not all. According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, Freeman could be among the very first major free agents to sign, which would explain why we received so many breadcrumbs regarding his intentions all lockout long.

His options? Simple. Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles (and Morosi, like Jon Heyman before him, listed the Yanks ahead of the Dodgers).

Though neither party was supposed to touch base for the past few months, Lord knows those rules were not followed to specifications.

Expect movement on Thursday night — and swiftly. If Freeman’s the first domino to fall, that means the Yankees either went above and beyond, or they preferred to give up prospects for two years of the younger Matt Olson.

3 free agents Yankees must sign day after MLB lockout ends

The New York Yankees must sign these free agents the very second the MLB Lockout ends. Waiting longer than 24 hours could be a mistake.