NY Post | Dan Martin: We made it, folks. The first phase of spring training is here, as pitchers and catchers report to George M. Steinbrenner Field. That means that we also got our first look at Gerrit Cole throwing in a Yankee uniform, and the team’s new ace got off to a good start. While it was just a bullpen session, Aaron Boone noted that Cole’s “attention to detail is special” and that seeing him at work live confirmed all of the things that he first saw in the team’s winter meetings with the superstar pitcher.
ESPN | Buster Olney: Speaking of Boone, the Yankee manager held his first press conference this season Wednesday as the players got to work. Boone has said before and reiterated that he’d like to move on from the Astros sign-stealing scandal that has dominated the offseason, but also noted that he hasn’t placed any restrictions on his players venting their frustrations about it. Some players, like Masahiro Tanaka and Luis Severino, have recently commented on the situation while others are settling in and moving on as well.
NY Daily News | Kristie Ackert: One of the players that hasn’t moved on from the Astros just yet is Gary Sanchez. Sanchez was openly joking about the situation to reporters, but also noted that he’s seen the clip of Jose Altuve hitting the walk-off against Aroldis Chapman countless amounts of times. Then he offered an amazing quote, saying “I can tell you if I hit a homer and I get my team to the World Series, they can rip off my pants.”
NJ.com | Mike Rosenstein: While the current Yankees began their preparation for 2020, one former Yankee bid adieu. Cameron Maybin, who played a surprisingly significant role for last year’s Bombers, signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers. Maybin wasn’t a Yankee for long, but he became a strong clubhouse guy and more than contributed for his role as a backup outfielder.