Yankees news: Schwarber, Diaz sign as dominoes begin to fall

USA Today | Bob Nightengale: The proverbial hot stove finally heated up in earnest during day three of the annual winter meetings on Tuesday as two of the offseason’s most coveted free agents agreed to new deals. The Phillies retained DH Kyle Schwarber, fresh off a 56-homer campaign, for five years and $150 million. Meanwhile, the Dodgers pried closer Edwin Díaz away from the Mets with a three-year, $69 million compact. While the Yankees were only lightly linked to both players, their signings still signal a step forward in the offseason as a whole, setting the market for power bats and relievers. The Phillies were reportedly interested in Cody Bellinger as a backup plan should Schwarber sign elsewhere, perhaps removing one suitor for a player with whom the Yankees have expressed desire for a reunion.

NY Post | Greg Joyce: Speaking of Bellinger, his agent, Scott Boras, delivered a characteristically campy answer when asked Tuesday about the outfielder’s market. In what amounted to a fifth-grader’s attempt at a riddle, he hinted that the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Giants, Reds, and Angels are all expressing interest in his client. Here’s the full quote for your reading pleasure:

“It’s not for me to judge, but great players see red if they have a big bat yanked out of their lineup. I haven’t met a team that dodges a five-tool player. To fill the center field need is a giant step towards the playoffs. North and south, outfielders that fly with power, they’re rare birds. In the offseason, there’s a lot of start-up to organizations, and for that reason, there’s a lot of angel investors that are looking for very versatile outfielders.”

Boras was more direct when asked about a potential tightening of the purse by Yankees’ owner Hal Steinbrenner. “I don’t think when [GM Brian] Cash[man] or [team president] Randy [Levine] call me, they talk about limiting payroll, no they don’t,” he indicated. “They talk about acquiring players. They’ve never made mention of that.

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: As the offseason game of musical chairs continues to come into focus, the possibility remains that the team could largely stick with its current lineup, an eventuality that would elevate the role of Jasson Domínguez. “If Spring Training started today, he’d be our left fielder,” Cashman said, with the caveats that Spencer Jones would be in play to compete for a role and, more importantly, much can happen between now and the spring. After he lost his starting job down the stretch last year, the Yankees sent “The Martian” to get some reps in the Dominican Winter League and, though he went just 7-for-38 in his stint there, the opportunity to improve his defense may prove more salient. The switch-hitter hit well from the left side of the plate last year but struggled from his natural right side, another element of his game that will need to improve for him to reach his potential.

NY Post | Greg Joyce: When the World Baseball Classic begins on March 5th, it may feature a slew of Yankees. Aaron Judge is already confirmed to play for Team USA and manager Mark DeRosa expressed interest in recruiting David Bednar — who played for the squad in 2023 — to join him. Other potential participants include: Jazz Chisholm Jr., the Bahamian who could play for Great Britain; Fernando Cruz, who appears likely to suit up for Puerto Rico; Austin Wells, who is in play for the Dominican Republic; and José Caballero, who’s interested in playing for Panama.