Around the Empire: Yankees news - 9/17/19

Sports Illustrated | Tom Verducci: We’ve spent some time discussing whether the Yankees could use less-than-traditional pitching strategies this postseason. Here, Aaron Boone explicitly states that anything will go in the playoffs, and that “We’re going to be a little untraditional. The only one we might use as a traditional starter is [James] Paxton.” Outside of Paxton, the Yankees may piggyback starters and relievers at every occasion. This certainly would make for a fascinating October.

NJ.com | Randy Miller: When the Yankees signed Brett Gardner to a one-year, $7.5 million deal before the season, it almost seemed plausible that this would be Gardner’s farewell season in the Bronx. Gardner has had a strong year, though, and has expressed his desire to stay in New York in 2020. “I’ve always been very honest about not wanting to play anywhere else,” Gardner said. We’ll see soon enough if the Yankees match Gardner’s enthusiasm for a continued union.

NJ.com | Mike Rosenstein: The Angels come to the Bronx for a three-game series starting tonight. Those expecting to see superstar sluggers Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani will be sorely disappointed, as both just were ruled out for the remainder of 2019 last week, Trout with a foot injury, Ohtani with a knee problem. The author of this article can neither confirm nor deny whether he had purchased tickets for tonight’s game and had counted himself among those hoping to see the game’s best player in the Bronx.