Yankees Free Agency Rumors: Are Yankees Courting CJ Wilson to the Bronx?

Thursday began the free agency period for baseball.

So far, there has been very minimal activity, mostly due to the fact this is the courting period between teams and players.

And, per usual, the New York Yankees are heavy players in this annual courting period.

According to Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger, Yankees GM Brain Cashman has been in contact with agent Bob Garber.

Garber isn't the highest profile name and agent, but he represents two important pitching clients, one of which may appeal to the Yankees this winter.

He represents former Phillies pitcher Roy Oswalt, but the Yankees are going to pass on him this winter because due to back problems, according to Wallace Matthews of ESPN.

And Garber also represents Texas Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson, who may be the top prize of the free agent market right now.

Initially, CC Sabathia was set to be the prize free agent if he were to hit the market, but the Yankees and Sabathia worked out a five-year extension, thereby negating his opt-out clause.

But after Sabathia, the Yankees rotation is filled with question marks—like AJ Burnett and Phil Hughes.

Plus, there is Ivan Nova, but you never know what one's sophomore season will bring.

That brings us back to Wilson, who many Yankee fans desire in pinstripes in the Bronx.

I, for one, am not one of them.

I don't like how he has pitched terribly in the postseason, and I think overpaying for a 31-year-old who really has only two decent seasons is absolutely crazy.

To me, he is the opposite of Andy Pettitte for the Yankees.

However, just because I am opposed to bringing in Wilson, that doesn't mean much, considering Cashman's quest to add pitching.

For all we know, the Yankees may make a full-court press, offer the most money, and land Wilson this winter.

Still, it could just be Cashman doing his "due diligence" with all top free agents.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yankees were likely to favor Japanese star Yu Darvish over Wilson this winter.

But given the fact that the Yankees had failures with Kei Igawa and Hideki Irabu, and with the Rangers, Nationals, Blue Jays and Mariners reportedly set on entering the bidding game, it may ultimately lead to New York taking a pass on Darvish.

From my logic, with Wilson's postseason struggles, it might make the Yankees pass on the soon-to-be 31-year-old left-hander.

Or will it?

Garber went on record saying Wilson absolutely loves New York and would love to play in the Bronx.

You have to wonder if Garber was being truthful or simply stirring things up in an attempt for the best deal for his client.

In the end, I see two teams landing Wilson.

One is the Washington Nationals, who have proven they are willing to spend money; and the other is the Texas Rangers, the only team that Wilson has ever known.

I think the Rangers end up re-signing Wilson and overpay to keep him in Arlington.

Will the Yankees prove me—and a lot of other fans who share my opposition to signing Wilson—wrong and actually bring him into the Bronx for 2012?

Only time will tell.

Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.