Around the Empire: Yankees news - 7/20/18

NJ.com | Brendan Kuty: Kuty reports that the San Francisco Giants are hot on Yankees right-handed pitching prospect Albert Abreu, who is Baseball America’s number 79 overall prospect (MLB.com ranks him No. 60 and No. 3 overall in the Yankees system). Bob Nightengale of USA Today previously reported that the Giants offered the Yankees Jeff Samardzija (1-5, 6.25 ERA). Shark isn’t a good fit for the Bombers — given his struggles, his contract, and his injuries — but perhaps his availability indicates that the Giants have entered full-on sell mode.

If that’s the case, then it makes a lot more sense for the Yankees to pursue Madison Bumgarner. The 28-year-old left-hander boasts an impressive postseason resume, and carries with him a very reasonable $12 million team option for next year. San Francisco also has two other veteran starters who could help New York in lefty Derek Holland and righty Johnny Cueto. Both possess extensive postseason experience.

NJ.com | Brendan Kuty: Yankees’ potential trade-deadline target J.A. Happ likes pitching in the Bronx. Happ had some nice things to say about the club’s history and the aura of Yankee Stadium. When asked if he’d like to play for the Yankees some day, he responded “sure.”

New York Post | Ken Davidoff: Jacob deGrom said he wants to remain with the Mets, and that he can envision the team contending by 2020. Meanwhile, John Harper of the New York Daily News writes about how Noah Syndergaard’s performance in the Bronx tonight could determine how much the Yankees would part with to acquire him.

New York Post | Sports Desk: The Indians swiped potential trade target Brad Hand away from the Yankees. The Padres traded the southpaw closer and right-handed reliever Adam Cimber for Cleveland’s prized catching prospect Francisco Mejia.

MLB.com | T.R. Sullivan: Rangers beat writer Sullivan reports that Texas seeks young pitching at the deadline. On the block is Cole Hamels (among others). I previously wrote that the Yankees should go after Hamels, but his stock has dropped rapidly due to poor performance of late. I strongly prefer that the Bombers acquire an ace such as Jacob deGrom or Bumgarner. Still, the homer-prone Hamels would likely represent an upgrade over New York’s current internal fifth-starter options.

New York Daily News | Mike Mazzeo: Mazzeo writes about how Luis Severino overcame adversity early in his career, while Brendan Kuty reports how Sevy had the best All-Star Game experience. Severino threw a scoreless frame and caught Aaron Judge’s second-inning home run while warming up in the bullpen:

Finally, Justin Verlander channeled Babe Ruth when he called Judge’s shot live on Instagram in the dugout as Judge prepared to step into the batter’s box: