Around the Empire: Yankees news - 6/19/20

CBS Sports | Matt Snyder: The MLBPA has countered MLB’s latest proposal, this time offering 70 games at fully-prorated pay. The proposal also incorporated a universal DH and expanded playoffs. Shockingly, the owners are reportedly unhappy with the proposal, as they for some reason believed the offer they made earlier in the week was not an offer, but an agreement.

New York Post | Howie Kussoy and George A. King III: A judge has found unpersuasive the Yankees’ argument that it would cause reputational damage should commissioner Rob Manfred’s 2017 letter to Brian Cashman regarding sign stealing be made public. The judge concluded that the letter couldn’t both be in accordance with Manfred’s public statements regarding sign stealing in 2017, while also being damaging to the Yankees. The team will appeal the decision, and the letter will remain sealed for now.

Courier & Press | Chad Lindskog: The Yankees have signed undrafted free agent Elijah Dunham. The Indiana University outfielder is perhaps the top prospect to sign after the abbreviated five-round 2020 draft. The 22-year-old posted an OPS approaching 1.000 over the past two seasons, and was ranked 186th on Baseball America’s predraft list. For reference, slot value for the 186th pick in the 2019 draft was about $250K. Dunham, and every other UDFA, will be unable to sign for anything more than $20K.

New York Daily News | Kristie Ackert: MLB’s latest proposal to the players called for a 60-game season and expanded playoffs. Ackert asks a natural question: how will a Yankee team built for a marathon deal with a sprint? After a 2019 season that saw the Bombers nearly derailed by historic injuries, could the injury bug bite again as players quickly adjust to a new short-season reality?