“No connection” between Yankees, Imai; Stanton healthy this winter; Weaver pens farewell letter; Andy Kosco passes away
Sports Illustrated | Delilah Bourque: The Yankees were provided a glimmer of hope in a potential pursuit of starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai. Voices around the industry have singled out the Yankees and Cubs as the likeliest landing spots for the NPB star, and sources recently relayed that Chicago is not one of his preferred landing spots as he would rather pitch for a team on the coast. However, Jack Curry poured cold water on these rumors in the latest segment of YES Network’s Hot Stove show. He made it clear that “A lot of places, there’s a connection between Imai and the Yankees being made… The vibe that I’m getting is that that connection does not exist.”
New York Daily News | Gary Phillips: One of the narratives that has dominated recent headlines was Brian Cashman’s belief that the offense has become too left-handed. Given the Yankees’ inaction in the free agent and trade markets and the dearth of available impact right-handed bats, the solution may have to come from within. Therefore, an X-factor for the upcoming season will be Giancarlo Stanton’s health after the slugger missed over half of 2025 with tennis elbow in both elbows. Aaron Boone sounded optimistic about Stanton’s availability for the start of the season given he is not actively rehabbing an injury the way he was with the elbows in the lead up to last season. When he finally made it to the field in mid-June, we saw one of the best versions of Stanton in pinstripes with 24 home runs and a .944 OPS in 77 games.
SNY | John Flanigan: Luke Weaver was on the verge of not finding a job when he joined the Yankees in September 2023, and he parlayed a career turnaround into a two-year, $22 million deal with the Mets. With the signing becoming official, Weaver penned a thank-you letter to Yankees fans, writing:
“My career coming to what felt like an end. Overwhelmed with injuries and failure… it seemed destined that the new chapter of my life was within reach. But did the Lord have other plans for … Yankees fans and those that showed me your love/support… thank you from the bottom of my heart… What a ride it was and a rejuvenation I longed for. Another chapter begins for me but the memories are forever. Grateful and humbled. To God be the Glory.”
Weaver finishes his Yankees career having made 129 appearances, pitching to a 3.22 ERA with 191 strikeouts and 12 saves — not to mention a 1.76 ERA in 15.1 innings during the 2024 postseason.
Newsweek | Jon Paul Hoornstra: Former Yankees outfielder Andy Kosco has passed away at the age of 84. He played 131 games for the Yankees in 1968, batting .240 with 15 home runs, and his most notable moment came when he replaced Mickey Mantle at first base in the Hall of Famer’s final game on September 28, 1968. The Yankees would trade Kosco to the Dodgers for pitcher Mike Kekich following the end of that season, and the Dodgers would later flip him to the Brewers in 1971 for another former Yankee in Al Downing.
Category: General Sports
