By Austin Laymance

Free agent starting pitcher James Shields is reportedly close to signing with a team this week, but the Yankees are not one of those clubs, according to multiple reports.

The Yankees are “not in in play” for a significant free agent starting pitcher such as Shields, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports confirmed that information, adding that the Bronx Bombers preferred Max Scherzer and never seriously pursued him in free agency this winter.

The Yankees already have a number of starters on their roster, including: CC Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda, Ivan Nova, Nathan Eovaldi, Chris Capuano and Adam Warren.

Shields is mulling a number of options and is expected to sign a contract by the end of this week, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports.

Shields was initially expected to command a contract of at least $100 million, but his price tag appears to have dropped as the offseason has progressed. The 33-year-old is now expected to sign a deal in the $70 to $80 million range, which could bring more teams back in on the bidding.

But the Yankees apparently are not one of the bidders.

— Austin Laymance