Report: Yankees checking in on Josh Hamilton

The New York Yankees, who were surprisingly quiet during the Winter Meetings, have started a preliminary background check on free agent outfielder Josh Hamilton, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

The baseball world is well aware of the Yankees plan to get their payroll under the $189 million luxury tax threshold for 2014, but rumours of the team trying to deal Curtis Granderson would help in signing a player like Hamilton.

Nightengale also suggests via twitter that general manager Brian Cashman is not part of the process.

Hamilton attended the Winter Meetings in hopes of finding a new contract, and has been linked to the Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers. It's expected any deal for the slugger will be in the $20-25 million range, though anything more than a four year deal would come as a surprise.