NPB star close to signing; Jazz trade rumors swirl; Weaver heads to Queens
The Sporting News | Matt Sullivan: The Yankees have yet to make a major splash this winter, even as more than one key member of the bullpen has left the team — more on that in a moment. We get a bit of good news on that front, with reports that New York is one of two finalists for NPB ace Tatsuya Imai, whose posting deadline comes on New Year’s Day. The Yankees are supposedly facing off with the Cubs for Imai’s talented right arm, and while it feels like the club could outbid the Cubbies on paper, Chicago’s history with Japanese starters could give them an edge. Then again, Imai has said on his own that he would prefer a team without existing former NPBers.
New York Post | Greg Joyce: One could argue that even for all the benefits Yankee Stadium presents, the Yankees are still a little too lefty-heavy. The club features five players expected to be every day regulars that hit from the left side, plus the possibility of bringing back Cody Bellinger in free agency. An attempt to re-balance the lineup may be a priority for the organization, and that raises questions about the trade value of Jazz Chisholm Jr., coming off the best season of his career and with just a single year of team control left.
MLB.com | Anthony DiComo: By now you’ve likely heard that Luke Weaver has agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract with the New York Mets, the third former Yankee closer to go across town. Weaver joins Devin Williams and now-starter Clay Holmes on the Mets’ pitching staff, looking to bounce back from a season where he seemed to battle a bum leg for much of the second half.
Category: General Sports
