Yanks pursuing Chapman, talking to Jansen

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Yankees aren’t balking at Aroldis Chapman’s reported desire for a six-year contract, believing there is mutual interest to work out a reunion with the flame-throwing closer, but they maintained contact with other bullpen options as the Winter Meetings opened Monday at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort & Convention Center.

In addition to Chapman, general manager Brian Cashman said that he has been talking to free-agent closer Kenley Jansen and that he is considering trade opportunities to add a reliever. Chapman told ESPN’s Marly Rivera that he would like a six-year contract, though the left-hander refuted a suggestion that his eventual deal must exceed $100 million.

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“The attraction of him is that we know he can pitch in New York and he doesn’t have a Draft pick attached,” Cashman said. “So then it just comes down to money and term. We’ll compete to a certain level and we’ll see if that’s good enough. If it’s not, that’s why we’re staying in contact with all others at the same time.”

Cashman said that the Yankees had maintained dialogue with former Yankee Mark Melancon, who agreed to a four-year, $62 million deal with the Giants on Monday. That surpassed Jonathan Papelbon’s previous record contract for a reliever (four years, $50 million), and Chapman is expected to exceed that total by an even wider …

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