The Yankees are going big-game hunting. Maybe.General manager Brian Cashman reportedly saysthe Yankees have "checked in" on free agent starting pitchers Gerrit Cole, Zack Wheeler and Stephen Strasburg Sam Young Jersey .The Yankees have "checked in" regarding Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg and Zack Wheeler so far, among others, GM Brian Cashman said. Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) While the Yankees' starting pitching wasn't the reason they were ousted in the ALCS, starting pitching has been something of an unsolvable equation for the Yankees in prior seasons. The franchise has seemedmore preoccupied with finding controllable starters on cheap deals over the past three or four seasons (Sonny Gray, James Paxton).The recruitment of Cole begin with now-former Yankee Jim Otto Jersey pitcher CC Sabathia, who said on his podcast that he and Cole have talked extensively about pitching in New York."If you offer that motherfer enough money, he's gonnawant to come here (to New York)," "I'm speaking from experience."Rapid reaction:"Checking Las Vegas Raiders Sleepwear Underwear in" shouldn't be good enough for the Yankees or their fans.While the Yankees used to go big-game hunting, recent years have revealed the Bombers and their front office have been more willing to go the "creative" route thanthe big-money route. The last few times the Yankees opened up the checkbook for a free-agent starting pitcher, it worked out pretty well CC Sabathia helped bring the Yankees their 28th championship ring, while Masahiro Tanaka has been one of the best postseason pitchers they've had, despite being upanddown during the regular season.MORE: Still, there seems to be some sort of reluctance on New York's part to go all-in on free agency now. While the team should have eyes towardthe future and wanting to keep its core around Fred Biletnikoff Jersey Aaron Judge, Gary Snchez, Gleyber Torres are the big three who have yet to be paid big bucks the window to win a title is now.If Gerrit Cole gets the Photoshop and dinner treatment, then the team shouldn't let him leave the restaurant without signing a contract. At 29 years old, even an eight-year deal shouldn' Mike Haynes Jersey t scare the Yankees away. The same can be said about any of the starting pitcherson the market, including Strasburg and Wheeler. If the Yanks are serious about winning like they once were, then payroll flexibility and the excuse of future contracts shouldn't get in the way.Cashman at the GM meetings said, yes, he Gene Upshaw Jersey will be talking to Scott Boras this winter about Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg. But he also mentioned the heavy payroll commitments for next season and opportunities that could become available via the trade market. Very, very early... Erik Boland (@eboland11) Starting pitching wasn't the reason they lost in the ALCS, but when you're throwing together a bullpen day in an elimination game on the road,maybeit should be a priority.