Around the Empire: Yankees News - 12/31/19

NJ.com | Joe Giglio While it’s true that most of the heavy lifting has already been done, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the offseason is over for the Yankees. In fact, Giglio recommends that the Bombers should take a look at Eric Thames as a lefty bat to provide another source of power. Outside of Mike Tauchman and Brett Gardner, there aren’t many lefties on the roster. He could take advantage of the short porch in right field, and he can play first base and the corner outfield positions.

New York Post | Greg Joyce The staff prepared an interesting post about the top 10 games of the decade in New York’s professional sports universe. Two Yankees games appear: the Raul Ibanez two-homer performance in 2012 ALDS Game Three, and Game Three of the ALDS vs. the Cleveland Indians in 2017, which finished 1-0. Greg Bird hit the game-winning home run, and Masahiro Tanaka spun seven shutout innings.

New York Times | Jane Leavy Leavy takes us through a wild history ride and wonders why the Boston Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. The move, she says, changed baseball and New York City forever.

NJ.com | Joe Giglio It is not a secret that the New York Yankees are looking for ways to trade left-handed starter J.A. Happ after the veteran struggled in 2019. Giglio lists three West Coast teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Diego Padres, and the Los Angeles Angels as possible destinations for the southpaw.