MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: The Yankees hadn’t selected anyone in the Rule 5 Draft since 2011, until they took Cade Winquest this year. What possessed them to turn the tables and actually take a player in the Rule 5 for once? “He’s got big velocity,” assistant GM Michael Fishman said. “He has characteristics that our pitching group is good at working with. We’ll get him with our pitching department and make a few tweaks.” Winquest himself said, “From what I’ve been told, it’s my ability to spin the ball.
With my fastball and curveball, I have really good spin on that.” Thus far, Winquest is the only external addition the Yankees have made this offseason, and we’ll see come spring training whether they’re serious about adding him to the major-league bullpen.
MLB Trade Rumors | Anthony Franco: New York had been linked to Michael King a few times this offseason, but you can cross his name off the list, as King has reportedly re-signed with the Padres. King is guaranteed $75 million over three seasons, with opt-outs after both 2026 and 2027. That contract structure introduces plenty of risk for San Diego, but King has top-line upside that teams will take on risk for, and the Yankees will now have to look elsewhere if they want to augment their rotation.
Baseball America | Ben Badler: One of the top prospects in the upcoming international class, 16-year-old shortstop Wandy Asigen, has reportedly opted to sign with the Mets after previously being in agreement with the Yankees. Asigen will be eligible to sign as part of the next international signing period beginning January 15th, 2026. MLB Pipeline has Asigen ranked as their No. 2 international prospect, with Asigen’s bat drawing rave reviews.
Yahoo Sports | Conor Ligouri: Team USA added a chunk of pitchers to its WBC roster on Thursday, among them Yankees closer David Bednar. The right-hander was a member of the 2023 team that lost in the final to Japan. Also added to the USA roster were Mason Miller and Tarik Skubal.
Chicago Sun Times | Maddie Lee: Old friend alert: Tyler Austin has signed with the Cubs on a one-year, $1.25 million deal after a six-season stint in Japan. Austin was once a top Yankees prospect, and debuted in 2016 by going back-to-back with Aaron Judge in his first career plate appearance. Austin would never really find his stride with the Yankees, but he had success in NPB, posting a .947 OPS over 403 games, good enough for Chicago to give him another MLB chance at the age of 34.
