Around the Empire: Yankees news - 11/16/17

Around the Empire

MLB.com | Trisha Garcia: For the second time in a month, the Yankees’ star prospect Gleyber Torres has earned the AFL Player of the Week award. After going 9-for-15 with a double, a triple, three RBI, three runs scored, and two walks, it’s pretty easy to see why he earned the award again. He’s been tearing it up the whole time and is at the top or near it in most statistical categories. Here’s hoping he pans out and is a mainstay in the Bronx for years!

New York Daily News | Mark Feinsand: When the Yankees didn’t make the playoffs, it seemed pretty obvious that Joe Girardi wouldn’t even be in contention for Manager of the Year award. With the announcement that Terry Francona took home the award this year, the full results also showed that Girardi finished fifth overall in voting. However, given the team’s playoff push at the end of the season, Girardi deserved better consideration for the award. Perhaps if he made the playoffs things would’ve been different.

WEEI | Rob Bradford: Carlos Beltran could be very close to signing with a team for next year. He’s reportedly down to four choices: Red Sox, Blue Jays, Astros, and you guessed it, the Yankees. The Blue Jays would be interesting since they just signed Kendrys Morales to be their DH, but the Red Sox do need a David Ortiz replacement. The Astros, however, have been the most aggressive in trying to get Beltran.

New York Post | George A King III: The Yankees have checked in on pitcher Jason Hammel. Hammel, who went 15-10 with a 3.83 ERA for the World Series winning Cubs, was not on any of the team’s postseason rosters and was granted free agency after the club didn’t pick up his option for 2017.

Dallas Star-Telegram | Jeff Wilson: The Yankees are one of three teams to have checked in on recent free agent pitcher Derek Holland. The other two teams, being the Pirates and the Padres. It’s still early, so it could just be due diligence, but it’ll be interesting to see if the Yankees pursue this option further given their need for pitching.

FanGraphs | Jeff Sullivan: Sullivan is one of the 30 members of the BBWAA that had a vote for the American League Rookie of the Year. He’s also one of the 26 voters who did not vote for Gary Sanchez as the top rookie in 2016. Here he goes on to explain why he didn’t vote for Sanchez, mainly citing that the award is a bit vague and could use more clarification. But in the end, he did ultimately vote for Michael Fulmer because of playing time. “I gave my first-place vote to a player who I think is inferior to the player I gave my second-place vote.”

Fun Questions

• What do you think of Sullivan’s explanation for why he voted for Fulmer?
• Would you be okay with the Yankees hoping on the Beltrain again? Where do you think he ends up?

Song of the Day

If It Be Your Will by Leonard Cohen

It’s Leonard Cohen Week on Pinstripe Alley. As always, please link us your song of the day...you know..if it be your will.

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