Around the Empire: Yankees news - 2/7/21

New York Daily News | Bill Madden: While the plan for now seems to be a standard 162-game 2021 season, deep rifts between MLB’s owners and players have only festered throughout the winter. The most recent development has been a lack of concern, in the players’ eyes, for health and safety protocols as the league prepares for a second year of baseball in a pandemic. As the U.S. grieves another 3,500 deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday, the Players Association is bringing forth criticism of any plan of action for keeping on-field talent safe and healthy. This is but one more grievance between the two sides ahead of the CBA expiration in December that could put 2022 in jeopardy.

MLB.com | David Adler: After the Dodgers signed Trevor Bauer, all of the big-name free agents for this winter have a home. There are still potential value signings to be had, with former Yankee James Paxton still available, and the once-rumored Taijuan Walker also without a team. The Yankees have been quiet since signing Darren O’Day, but if they wanted to make one final addition to the roster, there are names out there that could help.

NJ.com | Randy Miller: The Yankees have a new Double-A affiliate for the 2021 minor league season, provided we have one. The Somerset Patriots will take the field in May, and owner Steve Kalafer tells the story of how the formerly-independent club came to be, and their journey into the Yankee fold.

Baseball America | Ben Badler: The Yankees made one of their expected IFA signings yesterday, officially inking Fidel Montero out of the Dominican Republic. He becomes the second Montero signed by the club this winter, as shortstop Hans Montero (no relation) was nabbed in January.