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Around the Empire
New York Daily News | Mark Feinsand: You may have heard the news, but the winter meetings are underway. You may have also heard that the Yankees want Aroldis Chapman back to solidify their bullpen. What you may not know is that Chapman wants a six-year deal for his reliever services. Well, we all want things. If the Yankees want him, they’re going to have to pony up. Hal has stated that if they get Chapman back, it’s going to be on the Yankees’ terms.
New York Daily News | Bernie Augustine: If the Yankees want to look elsewhere for bullpen help, the answer is no longer former Yankee legend Mark Melancon. Yesterday, the Giants signed Melancon to a four-year, $60-$65 million dollar deal. This deal also comes with a full NTC and a two-year opt out clause. Sorry to fans out there hoping for a Melancon reunion.
Fangraphs | Craig Edwards: On Sunday, the Yankees made our punning lives easier by signing Matt Holliday to a one-year deal. The question is if they made their baseball lives easier instead of going after a Carlos Beltran or Edwin Encarnacion. This article takes a look at what the Yankees are hoping to get out of their Holliday plan. I already love punning his name.
New York Post | Joel Sherman: Luis Valbuena was having a career year for the Astros before getting injured. Apparently the Yankees have been in contact with his agent to potentially sign him. Valbuena wants to be play full time and wants more than a one-year deal though. If that’s the case, the Yankees would have to trade Chase Headley. The hot stove is lit.
New York Daily News | Mark Feinsand: The Yankees were rumored to be interested in Rich Hill. The Dodgers have signed Rich Hill. The Yankees are probably no longer interested in Rich Hill. As sad as it is, Rich Hill was probably one of the better free agent pitchers on the market. This fact is probably why Cashman stated that the Yankees were probably going to go with internal options for starting pitching, unless a trade can be made.
New York Post | George A. King III: Finally, in non-winter meeting news, Tino Martinez will be the hitting coach for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Joe Torre and Jim Leyland called the Bam Tino about a month ago asking if he would be interested. Good luck with all that, Tino.
Fun Questions
- Would you give Chapman a six-year deal?
- With the White Sox rumored to be going into full sellers mode, who would you trade to get David Robertson back?
Song of the Day
Bargain by The Who
It’s Winter Meetings Week on Pinstripe Alley. As I mentioned, this week is focused on either songs dealing with winter itself or with deals, trades, bargains, etc. Since the meetings started yesterday, I figured we’d go with some bargaining. The best I’ve ever had. As always, please link us your song of the day.