Sign-stealing allegations against the Yankees, explained

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports When I said I wanted to write about something other than baseball’s labor fight, I should have been more specific. In the early morning hours, Evan Drellich of The Athletic (subscription required) reported that Judge Jed Rakoff, of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, moved to release a letter allegedly further implicating the Yankees in baseball’s sign-stealing scandal.

The news sent fans from a number of teams scrambling, with supporters of the Astros and Red Sox taking a victory lap, and the Yankees Universe on the defensive. It’s a confusing situation, with a number of moving pieces, which makes this a good occasion to…