NJ.com | Mike Rosenstein: The Yankees rejected a superstar footballer of a generation early in the off-season, when Francisco Lindor joined the Mets, and it looks like they rejected another. It was said throughout the day that the Cardinals were working on an agreement with the Rockies for third baseman Nolan Arenado, and according to Ken Rosenthal they reached an agreement.
The biggest consequence for the Yankees, however, could be that the Rockies are trying to close the Trevor Story shortstop after the Arenado deal. The story was seen as a possible update on the shortstop with the defensive skills of Gleyber Torres in question, but now that avenue can be closed.
NY Post | Dan Martin: In praising Masahiro Tanaka’s career in the Yankees, Brian Cashman brought up a sensitive point about the achievements that Tanaka has achieved. Cashman mentioned that he felt that Tanaka did everything he could to bring New York back to the Fall Classic, and that “he probably would have taken us to a World Series if we hadn’t done some mischief”. Clearly, the Astros scandal is still a deep wound for the franchise, and the opportunity it stole from its players will remain in their minds for a while.
NY Daily News | William Bradford Davis: Adam Ottavino’s trade came together very quickly, but it may have surprised Ottavino more than anyone else. The appeaser was working inside Yankee Stadium when he was informed of the deal, and Aaron Boone was nearby when the news was released. In some ways, it is an appropriately awkward ending to a rare exchange between rivals, as Ottavino will now wear the colors of the Red Sox and face his former team several times this year.