Around the Empire: Yankees news - 2/18/18

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: The competition for the two vacant infield position will be fierce this spring. With that in mind, it’s really great to hear that Gleyber Torres is feeling 100%. Aaron Boone says that Gleyber will be a “full go” to try out for second, third, and even shortstop. It’s doubtful that he will take the SS spot from Sir Didi Gregorius, but it does not hurt to have Gleyber cover the position when Didi needs a dayday off. Brian Cashman states that Gleyber’s chances to make the Opening Day roster will not be affected by service time concerns. That’s good. Gleyber is good.

New York Daily News | Mike Mazzeo: Here’s some fun news you may not have heard about. Giancarlo Stanton is a New York Yankee. Pretty neat, amirite? Dellin Betances and CC Sabathia sure thought so. Before we go further, please read this exchange:

“I texted CC the night before and I’m like, ‘C, we’re about to get Stanton. Just the trade hasn’t happened yet,’” Betances recalled. “He’s like, ‘No way.’ I’m like, ‘Bro, I just read something. I think we’re going to get him.’

“And then the next morning he texted me and was like, ‘Damn D, you were right.’ I was like, ‘Yeah.’

“After that, it’s just kind of like joy and excitement.”

RIGHT? If they had a blog, they would have probably been on their blog’s slack channel and been typing in all caps while it was happening. This article actually talks to Yankee pitchers about what it was like to face Giancarlo and what it was like when they heard they signed him.

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: As mentioned in the first link, a lot of focus will be on the infield competition this spring. There will also be a battle for the center field spot as well. Aaron Hicks and Jacoby Ellsbury will look to earn the spot, as will Clint Frazier. Aaron Judge also might get some reps there this spring, because why not? Boone says that there’s no plan for Judge to play CF. It’s probably good to have the option though.

DRaysBay | Danny Russel: Meanwhile, in Florida, a lot of things happened last night regarding our division rival Tampa Bay Rays. First, they traded for C.J. Cron from the Angels for a PTBNL, which was immediately followed by the Rays DFAing Corey Dickerson. That was confusing enough, but there’s more. After that, the Rays traded Jake Odorizzi to the Twins for SS prospect Jermaine Palacios and...that’s it. A viable MLB starter traded for just one prospect, a prospect who doesn’t even rank in the Top 20 of the Twins organization. Odd. Maybe the Rays have some master plan, but I think it’s safe to say they are in full rebuild mode. Oh, and the Padres signed Eric Hosmer to an 8-year deal. What a night.

Finally...

/insert smirk emoji