A perception is out there that the Yankees, in the words of one NL executive, are "sleeping giants" on Max Scherzer. That by the end of the winter, they will be players for arguably the best ace on the free-agent market.

That is the perception. But the reality, according to a source with knowledge of the Yankees' plans, is that the team is avoiding long-term, nine-digit contracts for players 30 and older. Scherzer turned 30 on July 27, 2014.

A source did add, "Never say never," but emphasized the initial plan is to try to re-sign Brandon McCarthy and not go after the top tier of Scherzer, Jon Lester and James Shields.

The Yankees are engaging the trade market. They have already turned Francisco Cervelli -- a popular, but spare part -- into Justin Wilson, a talented, if not yet consistent, lefty reliever. The Yankees could try to fill shortstop by dealing for Jimmy Rollins, Elvis Andrus, Alexei Ramirez, Didi Gregorius or Troy Tulowitzki. Each situation has its upside, but none are close to sure things. If they turn to the free-agent market, Stephen Drew would seem the most likely option at short.

Drew is represented by Scott Boras, who is also Scherzer's agent. Boras is known to wait out the market to receive the price tag he deems appropriate.

So let's say the Yankees don't sign McCarthy, strike out on Headley, and David Robertson leaves as a free agent. Meanwhile, Jon Lester returns to Boston or goes north to Toronto, and while the Orioles either maintain their nucleus or add to it, the Yankees may sit back a month from now and re-examine Scherzer.

The NL executive called Scherzer the surest bet of the three top starters on the market. Scherzer has fanned more than 10 batters per nine innings, which is a stat that often suggests that success can be maintained. (It is not as foolproof as CC Sabathia's numbers -- his K/per 9 have stayed the same as he has declined -- show.)

Scherzer, despite the fact he would cost a No. 1 pick -- while Lester, who was traded midseason, would not -- is the more desirable starter out there, according to the NL executive.

"He's the best," the executive said. "He has a little less mileage [having pitched fewer major league innings], and what he does is more sustainable."

Boras knows all this, too. Is there any way -- no matter what the Yankees are saying or thinking internally right now -- Boras is not going to give the Yankees last licks?

At the end of the day, any agent -- especially one as successful as Boras -- is going to let the Yankees have one last shot to say yes, if nothing else to drive up the price on other clubs.

When the inevitable call comes, the Yankees will have to look at their roster and decide if they are going to be better than the 84-win club from 2014. They have a bunch of question marks in their rotation, from Masahiro Tanaka (elbow), Sabathia (knee), Ivan Nova (elbow), Michael Pineda (history) and Shane Greene (youth).

Scherzer could be a difference-maker. As of now, the Yankees are trying to stay out of any sweepstakes. But the NL executive's term "sleeping giants" seems appropriate. At some point this winter, would it really surprise you if the Yankees made a big play for someone like Scherzer?