After initially disputing a report that the Yanks haven't made him an official offer as a free agent, Yu Darvish took to Twitter again later in the day to clarify that they had _ just not at the reported contract terms.
"Sorry guys. My mistake," Darvish tweeted. "Actually they did make offer but the numbers are not correct."
After revealing earlier in the week that the Yanks were on his list of six teams he's considering in free agency, Darvish also had tweeted earlier Friday about the Bombers, saying "They don't give me offer yet."
Yankees play-by-play man Michael Kay had reported on his ESPN radio show on Thursday that the Yanks offered a seven-year deal worth $160 million to Darvish, the former Texas ace who finished last season with the Dodgers. Kay also reported that the Yanks pulled the potential contract after Darvish didn't accept it within a 48-hour window.
GM Brian Cashman, who has been seeking a rotation upgrade all winter, had acknowledged publicly on WFAN earlier on Thursday that the Yanks at least have been in contact with Darvish's camp.
"Do we recognize Yu Darvish as a unique talent and a premier starting pitcher in the marketplace? Yes we do," Cashman said. "Would we be one of the last teams standing (in any bidding for Darvish)? I can't answer that.
"I do think there are things we can do to create (payroll) flexibility. And that's why you stay engaged with high-end guys in the marketplace."
The Yanks likely would have to shed significant salary _ likely Jacoby Ellsbury or David Robertson _ to sign Darvish as a free agent and still achieve their goal of getting under the $197 million luxury tax threshold.
