TAMPA, Fla. _ Now that Bryce Harper is officially a member of the Phillies, consider Brian Cashman officially done with discussing either him or Manny Machado, as well as any perception that the Yankees failed this offseason by not pursuing them more vigorously.
"I'm closing the chapter on these questions about high-end free agency in the winter," Cashman said before Sunday's game at Steinbrenner Field. "I feel like we've vetted that enough. Sorry. I'd rather focus on the here and now, and the real, rather than the unreal."
Cashman never disguised his non-interest in Harper, saying as far back as December's winter meetings that the Yankees' outfield was set. The GM did grab some headlines later with his "fully-operational Death Star" comment in regards to a Harper-related question, but he still steered clear of the player. After Harper was introduced Saturday as the proud owner of a record 13-year, $330-million contract, his agent Scott Boras confirmed the Yankees didn't get involved, saying, "It was really never a thought."
