Around the Empire: Yankees news - 11/22/19

MLB.com | Will Leitch: The Yankees have most commonly been connected to starting pitching entering the offseason, as they should be. In truth, though, they should probably be in on every starry name, and that includes Anthony Rendon. While not a perfect fit for the Yankees’ roster, Rendon’s talent renders fit almost irrelevant, argues Leitch, who ranks the Yankees among the six teams most likely to kick the tires on Rendon.

New York Post | Justin Terranova: As you’ve heard by now, the Yankees cut Jacoby Ellsbury with one year remaining on his seven-year contract with the team. However, even though the center fielder hasn’t played since the 2017 playoffs, a source close to Ellsbury reportedly has indicated he will try again to make a comeback next year. With the Yankees on the hook for Ellsbury’s 2020 salary, he’d essentially be a free flyer for any team that signed him next year. Any such signing would appear similar to the Yankees’ minimum deal with Troy Tulowitzki for 2019.

MLB.com | Mark Feinsand: The Yankees surely will look to the free-agent market for pitching upgrades, but the trade market also offers opportunities to bring in talented starters. Feinsand highlights Reds ace Luis Castillo as a good target for the Yankees. A few rumors lightly connected the Yankees to Castillo prior to the last season’s deadline, though those rumors were seemingly dismissed at the time. The Reds would need a haul for a good young pitcher like Castillo, who is 26-years-old and coming off an excellent season.

Also of note, a pair of notable free-agent deals have just been struck. The Braves re-signed reliever Chris Martin to a two-year, $14-million contract, and the White Sox struck a four-year, $73-million deal with catcher Yasmani Grandal. At least thus far, the hot stove has been less frigid this year than last.