Around the Empire: Yankees news - 2/11/19

USA Today | Bob Nightengale: The San Francisco Giants are unwilling to pay Bryce Harper $300 million over 10 years, which is the offer he reportedly rejected from the Nationals in September. San Francisco is instead willing to offer the superstar a lucrative short-term deal. Dayn Perry of CBS Sports thinks that a deal is possible. So if the Giants can get Harper on a short-term deal, then why can’t the Yankees?

New York Post | George A. King III: King reports that Gary Sanchez is healthy and ready to report to spring training. King further opines that The Kraken is now the Yankees’ biggest key to catching the Red Sox.

New York Post | Greg Joyce: Larry Rothschild knows the talent in the Yankees’ starting rotation isn’t a question. The biggest question mark is availability, based on past health issues.

Newsday | Erik Boland: The Yankees’ loaded bullpen has five arms capable of closing games. With Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, Zack Britton, Adam Ottavino and Chad Green, strikeouts will be plentiful. Boland also reminds us that Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild served as bullpen coach under Lou Piniella for the 1990 World Series champion Reds, which featured the dominant “Nasty Boys.”

MLB Cut4 | Michael Clair: Finally, Zack Britton still hasn’t forgotten about the 2016 Wild Card game. The Orioles lost that game, while their best pitcher never got a chance to pitch.