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MLB.com | Anthony DiComo: The New York Mets have unveiled their new manager: Carlos Beltrán, who worked for the Yankees this year as a special advisor to GM Brian Cashman, will replace Mickey Callaway as the skipper of the hometown rivals. Beltrán played for both franchises and provides immense baseball knowledge and a well-respected figure among players. Other candidates, according to MLB.com’s report, were Joe Girardi, Eduardo Pérez, Tim Bogar, Derek Shelton, and Luis Rojas.
USA Today | Chris Bumbaca: MLB players with opt-out clauses in their contracts will soon have to make important decisions. As we’ve covered, that means there will be news regarding Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman today. However, it also means that a very attractive option for the Bombers could become available: starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, the World Series champion and MVP, can be a free agent in the next few hours. He will make his decision on the day scheduled for the Washington Nationals’ parade, no less. Both players had until three days after the last game of the Fall Classic to decide whether to opt in or test the market.
New York Post | George A. King III: People may be wondering if Gerrit Cole, the best starting pitcher on the open market, can handle the pressure of pitching with the New York Yankees in the event the team decides to pursue him. To former Yankee Phil Hughes, though, that shouldn’t be an issue. “He throws 95-to-99 mph and that will play anywhere, no matter what the pressure is,” he told The Post. Cole grew up in Orange County and watched Hughes pitch for Foothills High School. “I think he definitely can handle it and has the stuff for it.”