Around the Empire: Yankees news - 11/19/19

Associated Press: It was announced Monday that Derek Jeter will headline the 2020 Hall of Fame ballot. Jeter might not garner the same unanimous support that put Mariano Rivera in the Hall earlier this summer, but it feels safe to say the Captain is a lock for Cooper2town.

New York Daily News | Bradford William Davis: Tanner Swanson, the Yankees’ new catching coordinator, couldn’t come into his new position more highly regarded. Despite being in professional baseball for just two seasons, Swanson has already garnered a reputation as an innovator. He’ll look to refine the Yankees’ catchers, who were statistically middle-of-the-road last season.

New York Post | Dan Martin: Swanson isn’t the only new coach with a bit of a reputation. Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Indians recently had some praise for the Yankees’ new pitching coach, Matt Blake. Bieber, a 2019 All-Star, credited Blake for helping him refine his best out-pitch, a curveball. Bieber said of Blake, “He understands what he sees on a computer and what he sees on a field. I think he’ll be great with this role.” Sounds exactly like the type of guy the Yankees wanted for the job.

New York Post | George A. King III: The Yankees didn’t tender Didi Gregorius a qualifying offer, and it seems quite plausible he’s played his last game in pinstripes. Still, King floats the distinct possibility that Gregorius re-signs on a one-year deal in an effort to raise his stock and hit the market again next year. Both player and team could benefit if Gregorius returned in the short term and played like he did from 2016 to 2018.