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Around the Empire
NY Sports Day | Christopher Saunders: After years of trying to untap Michael Pineda’s potential, it might be in the Yankees’ best interest to trade him away. The return for him might not be great, but his potential could entice another team and the Yankees would be able to move on.
MLB.com | Andrew Simon: The Yankees fully bought into the youth movement last season and will continue that going into 2017. However, that doesn’t mean they cannot use any veteran presents. Some potential Yankee targets like Rich Hill, Carlos Beltran, Matt Holliday, and Mike Napoli lead the list of top free agents age 35-or-over this offseason.
NBC Sports | Bill Baer: Brian Cashman says previous Collective Bargaining Agreements have hindered Yankees. Because of how previous CBAs were shaped, the Yankees were ultimately taken out of last year’s free agent market and various international markets. Now it seems Cashman, along with the rest of MLB, is waiting to see how the new CBA plays out before making any moves.
New York Post | George A. King III: On Saturday, it was reported that the owners and the representatives of the MLBPA would be meeting on Sunday in order to try and work on terms for a new CBA. It seems both sides left yesterday’s meeting believing they will have a new deal in place ahead of Thursday’s expiration of the existing CBA. Once a new CBA is agreed upon, teams will start making moves. The Yankees are the favorites to land Chapman, right now and also have interest in Edwin Encarnacion but seem unwilling to five years for him.
NBC Sports | Ashley Varela: The Yankees and Aroldis Chapman seem destined for a reunion. However, just because there is mutual interest it doesn’t mean it’s a done deal. Chapman is sure to have many suitors. In addition to the Giants, Dodgers, and Cubs, the Yankees will now have the Nationals to compete with as well. The Nationals, who actually had interest in Chapman at the trade deadline, have an opening at closer with Mark Melancon a free agent and could certainly afford Chapman so their current interest makes sense.
Fun Questions
- Of all of the older free agents on that list, which one would you be most interested in for the Yankees?
- Prediction time: Will there be a new CBA in place ahead of the deadline or is a lockout coming?
Song of the Day
It’s All About the Benjamins by Puff Daddy ft. The Notorious B.I.G., The LOX, & Lil' Kim
It’s Ben Diamond Week on Pinstripe Alley. Why? Well why not? There really isn’t much more needed to be said, I think. Buckle in, for songs about diamonds, songs about Bens, if we’re lucky songs about Ben Diamond. Or maybe just songs chosen by Ben. As always, please link us your song of the day.