Yankees GM Brian Cashman discusses David Bednar situation, reveals 'biggest need'

LAS VEGAS — New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman didn't try to hide his cards about his team's biggest offseason need on Tuesday in Las Vegas.

Speaking to the media during Major League Baseball's general manager meetings, Cashman said his team's bullpen would be a focal point this offseason.

Of course, it already has been in some ways with the $23.15 million qualifying offer extended to Yankees closer David Bednar. However, that was just the first piece of an elaborate puzzle Cashman has to put together in the back end this offseason.

"I don't want to say if there have been conversations going or not going," Cashman said of any potential long-term contract talks with Bednar if he chooses to turn down the qualifying offer. "Obviously, we made the qualifying offer. He has until November 17 to make the decision on his end, and bullpen is an area of need for us."

Brian Cashman's thoughts on the state of the Yankees bullpen

Cashman said that the bullpen situation is fluid because of a number of potential losses this offseason among the group. Five of the seven Yankees who recorded a save last season are free agents this offseason, including Bednar, Ryan Yarbrough, Paul Blackburn, Tim Hill and John Schreiber.

"That's probably our biggest need because we have so many vacancies of certainly important people that did a great job for us," Cashman said. "(Brent) Headrick is still here, obviously, but with Timmy Hill and Bednar and Blackburn, all free agents, those guys were a really nice bridge for us late in the game and they were consistent throughout the whole year. We have to rebuild that."

Cashman said there are a multitude of ways the Yankees could rebuild the bullpen.

"That doesn't mean that we don't have answers from within that can handle it somehow some way," Cashman said. "If I can pull down a trade or through free agency some individuals that make you sleep better at night, even though bullpens are volatile regardless, that would be a priority for me."

The key to the entire bullpen this offseason, however, seems to be Bednar and what it will take to bring him back to the Bronx.

"Listen, we dropped a big qualifying number on him. That factored a lot," Cashman said of Bednar's ability to pitch under pressure in New York. "He's a cool customer. He provided, from what I understand, even though I'm not in the bullpen, obviously, but from what I hear from everybody involved, we've been very lucky over the course of time, for the most part, to have somebody with a strong presence and great leadership to lead out there. He checked all those boxes along with the performance.

"I've had some good additions. I've had some not so good additions. He's been a good addition so far, and hopefully we find a way to keep him so I can worry about surrounding him with more quality individuals that our manager can turn to late in the game to try to close things out."