TAMPA -- The Yankees and free agent Neil Walker talked a bunch this offseason.

That's not a shocker. The Yankees could have used an infielder capable of playing second and third base -- places where they had holes for much of the winter.

Things seemed close to getting done between the sides until the Yankees acquired young infielder Brandon Drury from the Diamondbacks in a three-team trade last week, according to the New York Times' Billy Witz. Witz spoke to Walker at an exhibition game for free agents on Tuesday.

Neil Walker who turned up at Camp Jobless today, said his most substantive conversations came with the Yankees until they acquired Brandon Drury last week. — Billy Witz (@billywitz) February 27, 2018

Walker said discussions didn't get detailed on his role, but he believed he would play mostly 2B and some 3B, and well as 1B. "My understanding is I would bounce around I was certainly willing to do that." — Billy Witz (@billywitz) February 27, 2018

Walker wanted multi-yr deal and liked NYY b/c they're contenders. "We don’t know if it was a money thing, but we thought we were fairly close until they made the trade. Whatever it was, they decided to hang on to money for midseason + felt like making a trade was more valuable." — Billy Witz (@billywitz) February 27, 2018

Instead of paying Walker, it looks like the Yankees will go with Drury at third base -- he has a "leg up" on competitor Miguel Andujar, general manager Brian Cashman has said.

At second base, it's unclear whom they'll pick. The options include top prospects Gleyber Torres, Danny Espinosa, Tyler Wade, Ronald Torreyes and Jace Peterson.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.