It’s Winter Meetings season in the MLB. As much as that sounds like a top-secret summit in some remote swath of tundra, it really just means that a bunch of general managers are in Disney World flinging money at one another. Chief among the money-flingers are Brian Cashman and the Yankees. The Bombers will formally announce their three-year, $51 millionish deal with Derek Jeter in a press conference this afternoon. While they officially ink Jeter (presumably on a giant cardboard check), the Yankees will keep an eye on the Cliff Lee sweepstakes in anticipation of a potentially massive seven-year offer from the Washington Nationals or some other team.
The Mets, meanwhile, have a somewhat narrower focus. General manager Sandy Alderson, perhaps too strapped for cash to pursue the bigger names, has his sights set on backup catcher Ronny Paulino, according to an ESPN report. Amazin Avenue notes that Paulino could suit the Mets quite well as a platoon partner with the young Josh Thole, particularly given his expertise hitting against left-handed pitchers.
In any event, both New York teams are working their options to open these Winter Meetings. The Yankees and Mets have cast their lines, albeit for fish of different sizes. More baseball off-season news (and fishing metaphors) as it develops.