Around the Empire: Yankees news - 12/26/20

NJ.com | Brendan Kuty: Here’s a basic overview of where things stand on the biggest offseason stories on the day after Christmas. As has been mentioned previously, the Yankees and DJ LeMahieu remain fairly far apart in contract negotations. The Yankees also reportedly haven’t had contact with Cleveland regarding Francisco Lindor’s status, a slight disappointment, as the star shortstop would obviously be a great place to turn should LeMahieu depart.

New York Daily News | Larry McShane: Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. criticized the Yankees for what he argues were measly holiday donations from the Bombers. The team donated $5,000 to 10 local businesses, and provided Christmas gifts and food to families in need in the area. The Yankees certainly aren’t required to give back even that much to their community, but at a time when much of the country is suffering, a multi-billion dollar business chipping in a few grand here and there does smack of a team just trying to do something that looks nice rather than one really trying to make a difference and help.

FanGraphs | Ben Clemens: FanGraphs has crowdsourced announcer power rankings over the past week. They asked readers to rank broadcasts across different categories, such as quality of the analysis and clarity of the play-by-play, and the Yankees’ broadcast team placed 18th. Personally, that sounds right to me for a broadcast that is competent but has an occasionally too-large rotating ensemble, and can sometimes dip into obnoxious sports-talk radio territory. Indeed, comments culled by Clemens praised Ken Singleton, David Cone, and Michael Kay, except for when Kay starts ranting like he’s hosting his day-time sports radio show. Where would you rank the YES Network broadcast?