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Cashman not focussing on Harper, labels Yankees 'fully operational Death Star'

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The New York Yankees still have no plans to chase after top free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper, but general manager Brian Cashman intimated his club can pursue any path it chooses this offseason.

"We’re prepared to pivot and react at any given moment if things change," he said, according to Erik Boland of Newsday. "If something doesn't make sense today, that doesn’t mean it won’t make sense tomorrow. You know what my focuses are, but at the same time, we’re a fully operational Death Star"

The Yankees have maintained they have no interest in signing Harper due to the fact six outfielders are on their roster.

"We don't have (an unlimited) amount of dollars to be playing with in any marketplace," Cashman said, according to Boland. "I think you want to ask about something that fits more (with our needs) ... We're looking for a starter, we're looking for, how do we address the loss of Didi (Gregorius)? At no time at all, all winter, have I said I'm looking for an outfielder. So that Harper stuff ... I'm surprised you're still asking."

To Cashman's credit, the Yankees have focused on adding rotation help, brokering a trade with the Seattle Mariners for James Paxton, and reportedly closing in on a deal to re-sign J.A. Happ. Though New York is staying out of the Harper sweepstakes, the Yankees have reportedly had several conversations with Manny Machado.

Harper's representative, superagent Scott Boras, isn't buying Cashman's stance.

"I haven't heard them say that," Boras said during a media scrum of his own, per Boland. "Maybe (the Yankees) say those things to you."

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