Around the Empire: Yankees news - 1/30/21

NJ.com | Mike Rosenstein: The Yankees passed on one generational superstar infielder earlier in the offseason when Francisco Lindor went to the Mets, and it appears they’ve passed on another one. There was talk throughout the day that the Cardinals were working on a deal with the Rockies for third baseman Nolan Arenado, and according to Ken Rosenthal they’ve reached an agreement.

The bigger consequence for the Yankees, however, may be that the Rockies are looking to lock up shortstop Trevor Story in the aftermath of the Arenado deal. Story was seen as a possible upgrade at shortstop with Gleyber Torres’ defensive skills in question there, but now that avenue may be closed off.

NY Post | Dan Martin: In eulogizing Masahiro Tanaka’s Yankees career, Brian Cashman brought up a sore point on the accomplishments Tanaka reached. Cashman mentioned that he felt that Tanaka did everything that he could to get New York back in the Fall Classic, and that “he probably would’ve gotten us to a World Series if we didn’t run into some shenanigans.” Clearly, the Astros scandal is still a deep wound for the franchise, and the opportunity that it robbed their players of will be something in the back of their minds for a while.

NY Daily News | William Bradford Davis: The Adam Ottavino trade came together pretty quick, but it may have surprised Ottavino more than anyone else. The reliever was working out inside Yankee Stadium when he was informed of the deal, and Aaron Boone was on hand when the news came down. In some respect its a fittingly awkward ending to a rare trade between rivals, as Ottavino will now be donning Red Sox colors and facing off against his former team several times this year.