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MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Giancarlo Stanton, who is now a Yankee, and Aaron Judge are both set to split right field duties while rotating in the DH spot with Gary Sanchez. Yet there will be days when the Yankees will want or have to start them both in the outfield. Newly hired first base coach and outfielder instructor Reggie Willits’ job will be to assess how comfortable they are in left. While Brett Gardner stands to get most of the starts in left, having the option wouldn’t hurt.
New York Post | Dan Martin: Joe Girardi has a new job. He’s joining the MLB Network as an analyst since he was let go as the manager of the Yankees. On a conference call regarding the hiring though, Girardi did have some words of wisdom for Aaron Boone. He said the most important thing is for Boone to figure out what his niche is and to be able to delegate. He has to know his strengths and can’t try to micromanage.
USA Today | Bob Nightengale: Aaron Boone is gearing up for his first spring training as the Yankees’ manager. He’s expect to arrive in Tampa today. Boone mentioned that he spoke with both Judge and Stanton about their goals and potential position changes, if needed. Though Boone added it’s still too early to lock anything down. He’s just excited for the challenge and looking forward to getting started. He also added that he was set to join another MLB team in a front office role, until this position opened up.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Chad Green was last year’s breakout sensation and is looking to build on that success this year. The only difference is he’s entering spring training stretched out as a starter, just as he did last year. While Jordan Montgomery is likely going to be the fifth starter, Green, Chance Adams, Luis Cessa, and Adam Warren are also “competing” for the rotation spot. The competition that isn’t is actually good though because in case of anything, at least they have backup options waiting in the wings.
CBS Sports: Albert Abreu, a right-hander acquired from the Astros in the Brian McCann trade, underwent appendix surgery yesterday. The surgery is expected to sideline him for a couple weeks, but he should be back in action mid-March. He’s expected to start the season in Double-A and was just added to the 40-man this past November to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.
MLB.com | Ben Weinrib: CC Sabathia is very well aware of baseball’s history with race. Of the 211 pitchers that have won 20 games in a season since Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, only 15 of them are African American. Those 15 have been dubbed “The Black Aces” and Sabathia is proud to be a part of that group. He joined their ranks in 2010 when he went 21-7 for the Yankees.