Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said specific dollar amounts were never discussed during the team's meeting with Manny Machado in December.
But he was clear New York, and anyone else looking for help on its roster, would be interested in signing the infielder.
"He was a player that anybody would have an interest in," Cashman told reporters Friday, via MLB.com. "I mean, he's Manny Machado, so San Diego got a terrific player."
Asked Brian Cashman if the #Yankees talked dollars with Manny Machado over dinner, and how legitimate their interest was. His response: pic.twitter.com/kOFaKl3FIE
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) February 22, 2019
The Yankees were rumored to be Machado's preferred destination in free agency, but ultimately he signed with the Padres for 10 years and $300 million.
Many fans in New York were clamoring for the Yankees to add the four-time All-Star, but Cashman would say to those people what he used to say to George Steinbrenner: "You can't have 'em all."
He continued: "Even though you're the New York Yankees, you can't have 'em all. And so, we stay engaged with what's available and gravitate toward what we feel we can secure given the current available dollars in the marketplace from our perspective as well as the mesh with our team."
Cashman went on to say the Yankees feel comfortable with going into this season with Miguel Andujar as the team's third baseman.
The 23-year-old finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting last season, slashing .297/.328/.527 with 27 home runs and 92 RBIs.