Around the Empire: Yankees news - 10/28/18

New York Post | George A. King III: Just in time for Halloween, ghosts are returning from the dead. Jacoby Ellsbury’s agent, Scott Boras, has announced that he “fully expects” him to be ready for the 2019 season. After suffering an oblique injury during batting practice in spring training and undergoing hip surgery to repair a torn labrum, Ellsbury missed the entirety of the 2018 campaign.

News of Ellsbury’s return is a bad sign for catcher’s mitts everywhere, but also for Brett Gardner. With an already crowded outfield, the Yankees decision to keep Ellsbury over Gardner may come down to dollars-and-cents. The club still owes Ellsbury $47 million over the next two seasons. With that price tag hanging over their heads, they could opt to not pick up Gardner’s $12.5 million option for 2019 and simply pay him a $2 million buyout.

SNY | John Healy: A local New York City street artist has been putting up faux NYC Department of Sanitation signs in subway stations and on garbage cans. The poster says “Keep NYC Trash Free” with a slash across a cartoon depiction of a New Englander in a Tom Brady jersey and a Red Sox hat, drinking a Sam Adams. The Department of Sanitation has ordered the artist to cease and desist and will fine him $75 for every poster found. Time for New Yorkers to come together and support this brave artist with a GoFundMe.

NJ.com | Randy Miller: Here is a comprehensive, A-Z list of Yankee prospects and how they finished the 2018 season. It’s a long read, but worth your time if you want a high-level view of the Yankee farm system. Unfortunately, there is no report on how the Trenton Thunder’s bat dog, Rookie, fared this season so here’s the scoop: he was an incredibly good boy.