Around the Empire: Yankees news — 10/29/2020

Yahoo! Sports | Garrett Stepien: The offseason begins with 147 players being granted free agent status due to their contracts expiring, including four Yankees: Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, DJ LeMahieu, and Erik Kratz. More may join them on the open market in the upcoming weeks, depending on how Brett Gardner’s, J.A. Happ’s, and and Zack Britton’s options are handled.

NBC Sports Philadelphia | Jim Salisbury: Speaking of free agent news, All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto sits among the top of this year’s class, and many expect the Yankees to have at least have some passing interest. However, sources close to Realmuto believe that it would take “record-setting money” for either the Yankees or the Mets, the latter of whom would seem to be more motivated to get a deal together, to lure him to New York City. The Oklahoma native apparently would prefer to remain in Philly, and is “not keen” on playing for either New York ballclub.

NJ.com | Mike Rosenstein: According to reports over the last few weeks, Boston Red Sox owner John Henry is considering making his company, the Fenway Sports Group, a public enterprise. While primarily seen as a way to increase overseas investment in European soccer, such a deal would give the Boston Red Sox an influx of cash that may make them more active players on the free agent market. Should that happen, it might spur Hal Steinbrenner to make a similar move with Yankees Global Enterprises, which may spark a chain reaction among big market ballclubs.

I’m not an economist, so I’m not quite sure how this would play out, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.