"It's not that the Yankees dislike Edwin Jackson. They simply dislike the price — and this late in the offseason, free agent prices can change quickly.

A baseball official familiar with the Yankees' thinking called Hal Steinbrenner's Wednesday night meeting with agent Scott Boras "a courtesy," but the Yankees' aversion to Jackson relates only to the price, not the player. Boras was believed to be asking for a five-year deal at about $15 million per, but the request for a sit-down with Steinbrenner could signal a willingness to drop that.

Jackson appeals to the Yankees, but the team is engaged in a long-term effort to reduce payroll. This winter, GM Brian Cashman is balancing that need with his desire to improve the starting rotation."