Around the Empire: Yankees news - 8/19/16

Around the Empire

New York Daily News | Anthony McCarron: Back in 2009 Gary Sanchez was a 16 year old brawny “man-child” who was the top prize of the international free agent market. Brian Cashman liked what he saw and got his guy. He always had the physical tools just roll out of bed and be a good player, but he improved his defense, work ethic, and behavior and his now the Yankees’ starting catcher.

New York Post | Howie Kussoy: The youth movement has arrived in the Bronx. Literally, in the Bronx. Since Tyler Austin, Aaron Judge, and Sanchez have arrived to stay, they’ve only played games at Yankee Stadium. Now, the next test begins, as the trio of rookies begin their first road trip as regular members of the Yankees. Unfortunately their first road trip happens in the Bad Time Zone. Rude.

New York Daily News | Anthony McCarron: Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman are exciting bullpen names. Adam Warren and Tyler Clippard? Not so much. However the familiar duo, reacquired by the Yankees at the trade deadline when they sold Miller (miss you) and Chapman to build a better future, has been getting the job done.

Hardball Talk | Craig Calcaterra: Like many players who leave the Yankees to go play for other teams, Carlos Beltran had some familiar words to say regarding the media market that is New York. Beltran said that in Texas it’s just “about baseball” and that it’s relaxing that he doesn’t have to speak to the media before and after every game. There are days where he doesn’t have to speak to the media, and he loves it.

Today’s Knucleball | Jon Heyman: For those of us who have been watching the Yankees this year, it was pretty clear that Alex Rodriguez no longer had what it took to be an everyday baseball player. Earlier his publicist confirmed that A-Rod would not play for a team this year but the door for next year remained open. Even though he won’t publicly say it just yet, it seems A-Rod has accepted his playing days are behind him and has reportedly acknowledged to some friends that he’s “done.”

Fun Questions

• Come up with a funny (and PG) scenario for what actually happened to Ryan Lochte on the night he was “robbed.”
• If you could trade one current “bad” Yankees contract for another “bad” contract, ignoring NTCs and any of that, which Yankee would trade and for whom?

Song of the Day

Wannabe by Spice Girls

It’s 1996 Week on Pinstripe Alley. Do you want me to tell you what I want? What I really, really want? If I do, you have to tell me what you want. What you really, really want. I really, really, really want you to link me your song of the day...as always.

Not-so-Baby Bomber Recap Video of the Day

(these sections are getting oddly specific, eh?)