Brian Cashman speaks to the media at Winter Meetings

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman didn't get a chance to speak with members of the media on Monday because he didn't get into Orlando until late in the day, but he finally found some time on day 2 of the Winter Meeting from Lake Buena Vista. Here is a quick gist of what he had to say:

-- Cashman says that he has contacted free-agent third baseman Kevin Youkilis to gauge his interest in re-signing with the Yankees. Youkilis said that he was gracious for the call, but would much rather sign with a team closer to his home in California.

Youkilis only played 28 games for the Yankees in 2013 after signing a one-year, $12 million deal.

He was suppose to be the backup plan for Alex Rodriguez, but back problems forced him to the disabled list, and the man that people will always see as a Red Sock, did not leave a good impression on the Yankees.

-- Boone Logan and Mark Reynolds are also free-agents this offseason after playing for the Yanks last season. Cashman said that he has stayed in contact with both of those players.

The Yanks have a need at third base, and a right-hander with power would bode well for the lineup. He signed with the team in August and played well enough for the Cashman to want him back.

Logan has been to lefty-specialist with the team for the past few seasons, and he ran into some elbow troubles late in the season, and his now a free-agent that has been drawing interest from a handful of teams.

The Yankees are still looking for a pitcher like Logan, and he will be an option to bring back if they can't find anyone else.

-- Team president Randy Levine said earlier in the day that the Yankees are not shopping Brett Gardner, and Cashman said pretty much the same thing, but also says that they are still listening to offers.

“We have an obligation to hear what anybody’s interest happens to be,” Cashman said.

Cashman also says that while he is getting a lot of calls on Gardner, teams have also been calling about Ivan Nova, J.R. Murphy and Gary Sanchez, among others.

-- Cashman thinks that newly signed Kelly Johnson is an option to start at second or third base next season.

“He’s more of a bat than a defender,” Cashman said. “… But there’s a comfort level knowing that we have an improved depth situation there that gives us some flexibility.”

He said that Yankees would like to make even more moves to improve the depth of the infield, but those might not come until later in the offseason or even Spring Training.

-- The Yankees are still looking to add at least one more starting pitcher, but because both the free-agent market and trade market aren't very strong, Cashman doesn't know where they might find a starter.

“We certainly could sign a free agent starter,” Cashman said. “Signing one might be easier than trading for one, we're just trying to find the right one.”

Of course, Masahiro Tanaka would be an option for the Yankees is he's posted, and Cashman says he hasn't heard anything on his situation.

-- Michael Pineda, who hasn't thrown a single pitch for the Yankees since being acquired before Spring Training in 2012, is finally healthy and will come to camp ready to compete for a spot in the rotation, according to Cashman.

Manny Banuelos is also healthy, but the chances of him breaking camp on the big league roster are pretty slim. “Our expectation would be that he would be in Triple-A,” Cashman said.

-- Cashman also noted that Joe Torre, who was voted into the Hall of Fame Monday, will most certainly have his number No. 6 retired by the club eventually.

“We haven’t given it out for a reason,” Cashman said. “It’s been tucked away for quite some time. At some point, that’ll happen, not doubt about it. Clearly it’s has already unofficially happened.”

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