The Yankees aren't going to waste much time once free agent begins on Sunday.
According to the New York Daily News, the Yankees will be "in early" in pursuit of the most coveted free agent on the market, left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee.
The article in the Daily News cites a baseball official who says that the Yankees "will be in early with Lee," also adding "I don't know if they'll make an offer right away, but they'll be in quickly."
It makes sense for the Yankees to get in early on Lee. By practically everyone's account, the only two suitors for Lee are the Yankees and the Rangers, the team that Lee pitched to the World Series this season.
The beginning of the free agency period will likely come without the Yankees re-signing shortstop Derek Jeter and closer Mariano Rivera. While it's obviously a priority to sign those two, going after Lee will likely take precedence as there is virtually nobody who thinks Jeter or Rivera will be playing baseball anywhere besides the Bronx next summer.
