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Teams have descended upon Las Vegas for the 2018 Winter Meetings. With that comes a barrage of rumors, news, and scoops. It’s one of the best times of the year to be a baseball fan. There exists no shortage of action.
Since it can sometimes be hard to keep up with the news, Pinstripe Alley is going to run a series of posts containing all the Yankees rumors over the next three days. It’s important to remember that these are rumors, and should be taken with a grain of salt. Teams and agents posture, selectively releasing information in a way that benefits them.
Rumors of the Day (December 9, 2018)
Yankees, Padres continue Sonny Gray dialogue
#Padres and #Yankees remain in contact regarding possible Sonny Gray trade, source confirms. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2018
There’s been a lot of smoke with the Padres on a Gray trade. I wouldn’t be entirely surprised if he ends up there.
George Steinbrenner not elected into the Hall of Fame
George Steinbrenner was not elected to the Hall of Fame through this year's Today's Game ballot. Lee Smith and Harold Baines will go in.
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) December 10, 2018
The Boss didn’t make it in this year. Harold Baines and Lee Smith, though? Well okay then.
The Yankees have a budget on Manny Machado
Yankees like Manny Machado and will meet with Machado but source says they will not pay $300M for Machado. Phillies, Chisox and mystery teams(?) seen as main competitors.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2018
Good news: The Yankees like Machado! Bad news: The Yankees appear to be playing frugal with top free agents again.
Yankees will meet with Bryce Harper
Yankees also plan to meet with Bryce Harper, though st least publicly they seem to question whether there’s a fit there considering their outfield strength/glut. @JeffPassan and @TBrownYahoo 1st mentioned meeting would occur
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2018
It would be negligent if the team didn’t meet with Harper, right? We’ll have more on this tomorrow as our free agent target post on him runs at 11 AM.
J.A. Happ may be nearing a decision
J.A. Happ is viewed as the next key domino in the pitching marketplace. One agent of a fellow free agent pitcher said some teams are waiting on Happ’s decision before moving on other starters. #Yankees or #Phillies are best positioned to land him. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2018
The Yankees pivoted to Happ after deciding not to sign Patrick Corbin. It sounds like they will have a clearer understanding of their rotation sooner rather than later.
Madison Bumgarner could be an option for the Yankees
#SFGiants are *not* close to trading Madison Bumgarner as winter meetings begin, source says. #Phillies, #Brewers, #Yankees and #Braves among possible landing spots if Bumgarner is moved. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2018
This one seems like a long shot. If the Yankees miss out on Happ, I suppose they could call up San Francisco. Josh wrote about him recently and yikes, he may be about to crater.
Yankees “aren’t seriously” discussing J.T. Realmuto
#Yankees aren’t seriously discussing J.T. Realmuto with the #Marlins, one source said today. However, the #Padres are among the teams with genuine interest in Realmuto, sources say. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2018
The Realmuto trade rumors won’t end. Brian Cashman vehemently denied speculation that he would move Gary Sanchez. I buy Morosi’s report that these talks aren’t going anywhere.