Around the Empire: Yankees news - 10/24/19

SNY | Andy Martino: If you hadn’t heard, Gerrit Cole is going to be a free agent. The Yankees could use a starting pitcher. Sounds like somebody’s going to make lots of money. For now, the team is going to pursue Cole on the free agency market, which is a marketable upgrade over the approach to the 2019 free agency class.

New York Post | Dan Martin: The Yankees went into the 2019 postseason with the expectation their bullpen would neutralize the AL’s powerful rival offenses. One man in the relief corps struggled more than most with that, as Adam Ottavino posted an ERA over 9.00 and on more than one occasion failed to retire even a single batter in the Yankees’ playoff run. To his credit, Ottavino owned up to his struggles and acknowledged he needs to be better. He’ll have all winter in his Harlem pitching laboratory to break down exactly where and why it went so wrong.

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: The World Series is in full swing, but the Yankees are already developing and executing their offseason plan. Hoch gives a great breakdown of the team’s priorities this winter; who and how they want to pursue in free agency and whether a change in offensive philosophy is needed are the big questions ahead of 2020.

NJ.com | Brendan Kuty: Greg Bird played just ten games in pinstripes this year, and they went poorly. He’s struggling to find a spot for himself in baseball, and has begun playing for the Gigantes Del Ciabo in the Dominican Winter League hoping to have a consistent, healthy stretch of baseball. Bird will be one of the decisions the Yankees need to make in the offseason, as his roster spot may be more valuable to the team than the player himself.