Around the Empire: Yankees news - 10/16/20

SNY.tv | Andy Martino: Yes, Gleyber Torres’ defense at shortstop is not particularly good, but attempts and ideas to improve the position appear to be going a little too far. Martino explained that the best path to improve the Yankees’ infield defense would be trading Gio Urshela. He realizes that it sounds “crazy,” but says that it’s a way to eliminate a log jam, citing, believe it or not, Urshela’s subpar defense. He also stated that “you can’t let [DJ] LeMahieu sign elsewhere, and you want to keep Gleyber, but Gleyber is not a shortstop. His best position is second base, but that’s LeMahieu’s spot. So how do you do both? Move Torres to another position. What position is available? Third base.”

MLB.com | Mark Feinsand: The league’s official page posted a review of Trevor Bauer’s nine most probable suitors in the upcoming free agency period. The Yankees, of course, made the list. The Bombers could use the controversial Bauer, as he is a difference-maker, but it remains to be seen if Brian Cashman is willing to invest the big bucks—and if Gerrit Cole, who supposedly has a “feud” with the former Reds hurler, gives his blessing.

NJ.com | Brendan Kuty: James Paxton had a rocky season with the Yankees, suffering a back injury in the spring, showing diminished velocity once the action started, and then found himself sidelined with a left flexor strain. He is set to enter free agency, and his agent Scott Boras says that “he’s back to the James Paxton of ’19 in how he feels, how he’s throwing.” When Tampa eliminated the Yankees, the Big Maple was already throwing at 130 feet, and should be able to have a relatively normal offseason.

New York Post | Dan Martin: In Cashman’s encounter with the media on Wednesday, the general manager expressed his confidence in lefty fireballer Aroldis Chapman as the Yankees’ closer despite allowing a decisive home run for the second straight year. “I think [Chapman] is a really talented closer and exceptional at what he does,” Cashman said. “Some end results, at least here and with the Cubs, you can point to. I know when given the opportunity with victory at hand, I feel extremely comfortable — and Aaron Boone does, as well — with [Chapman]. He’s typically converting those and I have full confidence in Aroldis Chapman. Certainly, I’m hopeful many times next October, if we’re fortunate to qualify [for the postseason] — we’re in the situation to hand him the ball.”