The New York Yankees have seemingly been connected to just about every player this offseason. General manager Brian Cashman has been very creative when making deals to either trade away or receive players this offseason. New York has its goals set high as they pursue their 28th World Series title. With certain dominos falling into place, the Yankees rumor mill may start to get active again with familiar names like pitcher Yu Darvish. Here are the latest Yankees news and rumors you can't miss.
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Yankees Clearing Space For Darvish?
On MLB Network Monday morning, Ken Rosenthal reported Yu Darvish's delay is due to the hope that the Yankees clear salary space for him.
"The Yankees would need to trade a big salary, probably outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury to get this done," said Rosenthal "What are the odds of the Yankees or Dodgers doing such a thing? Probably somewhat slim, but that's why this thing isn't over just yet."
The Dodgers are reportedly Darvish's top choice, but just like the Yankees, Los Angeles wants to stay under the $197 million luxury-tax threshold.
The Yankees have around $15 million left to spend to stay under the luxury tax and with Ellsbury's three year-$68 million contract, which contains a no-trade clause, makes Darvish to the Yankees very difficult.
Darvish is 31 years old and coming off a season where he had a 3.86 ERA over 186.2 innings pitched with 209 strikeouts and 58 walks with both the Rangers and Dodgers.
Second Base Options For New York
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported on Monday that the Yankees have signed infielder Danny Espinosa to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. The 30-year-old had a .173/.245/.278 batting line in 93 games for the Angels, Mariners, and Rays.
Now that Espinosa joined the Yankees, he will compete for playing time with Ronald Torreyes, Gleyber Torres, and Tyler Wade.
Torreyes step-ed up huge for the Yankees when Starlin Castro went down with an injury last season. He hit .292 in 108 games and showed a great glove making only two errors the entire season. Torres is the Yankees top prospect and the fifth rated prospect in the MLB. Torres is only 21-year-old and is expected to play at either second or third, but question marks surround him since he's currently recovering from Tommy John surgery on his non-throwing arm. Wade batted just .155 in 30 games last season for the Yankees, failing to prove he can be a reliable option.
The Yankees will have four options entering spring training which gives them enough depth to make sure they have solid production at second base this season.
Yankees Alum Oscar Gamble Passes Away
Andrew Levy told MLB.com on Wednesday that former Yankees outfielder Oscar Gamble has died at age 68. No cause of death has been reported yet. Anyone who was a baseball fan in the 1970's remembers Gamble's legendary afro and power he brought from the left side of the plate.
“One of the best teammates probably any of us ever had. As good a teammate as they come,” former Yankees closer and Baseball Hall of Famer Goose Gossage told the Daily News. “Oh my God, he was hilarious, great sense of humor, just very close to all of us. It’s tough for all of us. We knew that he’d been sick for some time, and the last couple of years he’s gone downhill pretty quickly. But I will always remember his hair and his power and his ability to keep everyone loose. What a character, man. He’ll be sorely missed by all of us.”
Gamble played seven of his 17 years with the Yankees in the late 70's and 80's.
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