Armed with reports on every player the Yankees have an interest in, Brian Cashman will chair an organizational meeting today in Tampa.
Hal and Hank Steinbrenner met with financial gurus, club president Randy Levine and COO Lonn Trost, yesterday at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the site of today’s gathering.
Cashman’s scouts have provided opinions on not only Roy Halladay, Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, John Lackey, Andy Pettitte, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, but lesser names such as Rafael Soriano, Joel Pineiro and Jason Marquis.
Now, the GM will present ideas to the Steinbrenners and see how much money is available to fill two glaring needs — left field and starting pitching — going into the Winter Meetings that open Monday in Indianapolis.
JETER ON FAME: NOBODY’S PERFECT
Cashman has put off formal talks with representatives of free agents until he receives a budget that, historically, increases for the right player.
Last year’s Opening Day payroll was $201 million. Since they are free agents, Damon and Matsui count for $26 million off the books. Pettitte made $5.5 million last year. Chien-Ming Wang earned $5 million but likely is to be not tendered. Xavier Nady’s $6.5 million comes off as does Jose Molina’s $2.1 million.
That’s $45.1 million, but Derek Jeter gets a $1 million raise, CC Sabathia gets a $9 million bump, Robinson Cano jumps $3 million, Nick Swisher $1.5 million and Damaso Marte $225,000. That adds to $14.725 million.
Plus, Melky Cabrera and Brian Bruney are arbitration eligible. Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Brett Gardner, David Robertson, Alfredo Aceves and Phil Coke will receive nominal increases.
If Damon, who is searching for a three- or four-year deal, leaves, the Yankees have to find a left fielder. With Sabathia and A.J. Burnett on top of the rotation and Pettitte expected to return, the Yankees need at least fourth and fifth starters.
They could insert Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain into the rotation, but that leaves the bullpen short. Several Yankees talent evaluators are high on the right-handed Soriano, late of the Braves, in front of Mariano Rivera.
The Yankees have informed the Blue Jays to keep them posted on developments with Halladay. There are voices in the organization who are leery of letting top talent go, then having to give Halladay, 33 in May, an expensive extension.
Just don’t expect the Yankees to make a big splash upon the completion of these meetings, which usually last two days but could be completed in one.
Agent Scott Boras hinted Monday there were three or four teams interested in signing Damon, who might be able to squeeze a two-year pact out of the Yankees. They don’t believe top prospect Austin Jackson is ready to start the year in the big leagues.
Holliday and Bay are the biggest outfield names in the free-agent market, with Chone Figgins in the mix. The Yankees have been cool on Holliday and Bay. Figgins would give them a leadoff presence to replace Damon and play left field.
george.king@nypost.com