MLB Trade Rumors | Mark Polishuk: Third base will be one of the most scrutinized positions for the Yankees to upgrade this offseason after they got next to nothing from Ryan McMahon, and the biggest name on the market is Teruaki Sato from the Hanshin Tigers. The reigning Central League MVP and superstar in the NPB, Sato is will be 28 by the time next season starts and is high up on many teams’ wish lists this offseason, and the Tigers made it official that they will post Sato after the NPB season ends.
Polishuk notes that the impending lockout could mess with Sato’s posting window, as all transactions would freeze on December 1st leading to the possibility that Sato has to sit through the lockout before resuming his posting window and the potential for him to stay in Japan for one more year should the lockout go long enough.
MLB.com | Brent Maguire: It comes as no real surprise, but reports have come out confirming that Aaron Boone will be the Yankees’ manager in 2027. The team was upended in the ALDS for the second consecutive season by the team that beat them out for the AL East crown, but with one year on his deal remaining it would’ve taken a real rift in the clubhouse or pressure from Hal Steinbrenner to actually fire Boone. Instead, he’ll get this next year to try and make it back to the Fall Classic, but if he falls short of the main goal again perhaps they’ll think about not renewing said contract and moving on.
The Athletic | Brendan Kuty: Austin Wells’ lost first half of the season was in no small part due to the cervical headaches he was suffering which prompted an IL stint in June. The cause of said headaches, though? Wells believes it was due to several hard foul tips that opposing batters lined into his mask, citing a couple moments against Boston and Milwaukee in particular. The perils of donning the tools of ignorance are no laughing matter, and Wells has done a fine job behind the plate when healthy. To all those who want to see Ben Rice spend time back there, take heed of Wells’ 53 wRC+ before that IL stint and ask yourselves if the Yankees should subject their newest star to potentially going through something similar.
