Around the Empire: Yankees news - 12/19/19

SNY | Scott Thompson: In case you missed it, the Yankees held their official introductory press conference for Gerrit Cole yesterday. All parties involved, including Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone, Hal Steinbrenner, and Cole himself, spoke at length. There were plenty interesting tidbits regarding the extent to which the Yankees brass felt they had to have Cole. Also of note was Cole’s invocation of Curt Flood and Marvin Miller, two people that helped enable players like Cole to sign such massive deals.

New York Post | Ken Davidoff: Davidoff notes that Cole was just the seventh player to receive a grand, new Yankee Stadium introduction. Of the previous six, only one (Masahiro Tanaka) remains on a MLB team, and none so far have won a World Series; remember, CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeria were introduced at the old place. While some might argue that none have won a championship because big-ticket additions are a bad idea, I think it’s just as fair to note that perhaps one or two more big signings could have yielded an actual title.

NJ.com | Mike Rosenstein: With Didi Gregorius in Philly, the Yankees’ infield is a bit weaker. What would it take to reel in Francisco Lindor? A lot, as Rosenstein offers a four-for-one trade that would ship prospects and young hitters Miguel Andujar and Clint Frazier to Cleveland. It’s a pie-in-the-sky trade, one that’s extremely unlikely to happen, but it’s fun to dream about Lindor in pinstripes.

WFAN | Sweeny Murti: As has become a bit of theme, former Yankees and former Cole teammates continue to rave about Cole’s fit in New York. There doesn’t seem to be a single person that thinks the big right-hander isn’t cut out to handle pitching in the Bronx. Neil Walker said “he’s perfect for New York.” Francisco Cervilli opines “It’s crazy the way he competes.” Just over three months until Cole can prove them right.