CC Sabathia will receive his $500,000 bonus after all.

The 38-year-old Sabathia was ejected two innings shy of hitting the 155-inning mark for the 2018 season, which would have triggered a $500,000 incentive in his contract.

In his last regular-season start, Sabathia had thrown just 55 pitches through five scoreless innings. But after hitting Jake Bauers with a pitch in the fifth inning, the Tampa Bay Rays' Andrew Kittredge threw a fastball behind Yankees catcher Austin Romine's head in the sixth inning. 

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

It was weeks ago now, long before any of us noticed, that Brian Cashman and Brodie Van Wagenen began talking. The reason seemed simple enough -- Cashman needed pitching, and Van Wagenen had it.

But, as anyone who follows New York baseball knows, this was no small thing at all, and was in fact the beginning of a major change. For years, the Yankees and Mets simply did not believe that a significant deal between them was possible. Now, somehow, they were talking about Noah Syndergaard and others.

Syndergaard did not ultimately become a Yankee, of course. But it got closer than anyone would have thought possible, and that very fact brings major, positive ramifications for years to come. We can no longer dismiss the chance of a major blockbuster transpiring between the teams.

The Yankees have announced their deal with free agent LHP J.A. Happ that is for two seasons with a vesting option for a third season.

The deal is reportedly worth $34 million plus a $17 million option for 2021 based on innings pitched or games started, per Joel Sherman of The Post.

Happ had been seeking more than a two-year deal following a solid 2018 season with the Yankees and Blue Jays.

The Yankees have been lying in the weeds when it comes to free agent 3B/SS Manny Machado, who is reportedly looking for a deal that will pay him roughly $300 million over 10 years. Here are the latest rumors... 

Dec. 16, 11:23 AM:

The White Sox are meeting with Machado in Chicago on Monday, though Buster Olney of ESPN reported that the Sox aren't interested in signing Machado or Bryce Harper to a record-setting deal...

We are underway.

John Sterling uttered those three words as he turned back the clock on a rainy Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn. The legendary Yankees radio announcer returned to his stomping grounds to call the Nets-Hawks game at Barclays Center for YES Network. 

Sterling, 80, began his broadcasting career calling play-by-play for the then-Baltimore Bullets for the 1970-71 NBA season. He came to New York to cover a number of sports, including professional hockey and football. Sterling served as the Nets and Islanders announcer from 1975-80 before spending nine years in Atlanta to cover the Hawks and Braves. He returned to New York to broadcast Yankees games in 1989 for WABC radio and has been with the Bronx Bombers ever since. 

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives: The Yankees have reached the offseason many believed would see them make monumental moves that push them back to the head of the pack in the American League as they aim for a 28th World Series title.

Here is an update of rumors surrounding the Yankees pursuits, followed by my take on how things currently stand and may shake out…

Backup plans for Machado evolving

With an injured Didi Gregorius, the Yankees -- in addition to the Mets -- are reportedly interested in acquiring Freddy Galvis to fill a need at shortstop, but they may have some new competition.

The Pirates have a big interest in the 29-year-old switch-hitting infielder, according to George A. King II of the New York Post.Jordy Mercer, who played with Pittsburgh the last seven seasons, signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Tigers on Friday.

A talent evaluator touted Galvis' versatility, telling the New York Post that he "can play short, second and third, and if you needed him he can play the outfield." The evaluator added that Galvis "has some pop" and "is a real good guy." 

In 2018, the Yankees possessed one of the best -- if not the best -- bullpen in all of baseball. With flamethrowers Aroldis Chapman and Dellin Betances in the back end, they still touted relievers like David Robertson, Chad Green, Jonathan Holder, and even Zach Britton when he came over at the trade deadline. 

However, that was then, and this is now. This offseason, GM Brian Cashman has to reload his bullpen following the losses of Robertson and Britton to free agency. He can obviously re-sign them, but could there be more intriguing options out on the market? Perhaps Adam Ottavino?

The Baseball Night in New York crew give their takes on whether or not the Yankees need to reload their bullpen with a top-tier guy, and if so, who should it be?

Aside from a few nifty quips by Bryce Harper's agent, there was little real action on baseball's two biggest free agents at this week's Winter Meetings. Harper and Scott Boras sat down with a few clubs and Manny Machado has meet-and-greets scheduled in the coming days, but neither player seems close to a resolution. 

Instead, the best intel to come out of Las Vegas might have been about the developing bullpen market. Or further confirmation that shopping for a top-end catcher, by trade or free agency, will be pricey. 

That affects both the Yankees and Mets, who are searching for upgrades. Here's a look at the market following the week in Vegas. 

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

With trade speculation dominating the offseason, here's a list of Yankees who have been rumored in deals, where they rank them from most likely to be traded to least likely, and why.

1. RHP Sonny Gray

Joan Steinbrenner, Yankees' vice chairperson and wife of late owner George Steinbrenner, passed away at her home in Tampa, Fla. at the age of 83, the team announced on Friday. 

"Joan was a compassionate and caring matriarch whose profound love for her family and those in the community always inspired us," the Steinbrenner family said in a statement. "Her elegance and grace touched everyone around her, and we know her spirit will live on through her legacy of good works. We are grateful to have had her in our lives, and she will be deeply missed."

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

"Laying in the weeds" just doesn't cut it when describing the Yankees and any pursuit of the offseason's top free agent prizes.

Instead, this Yankees team -- the Evil Empire -- is positioned in a galaxy far, far away, potentially readying the Death Star to blast into hyper-speed where it concerns the top free agents this winter.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Brian Cashman was just messing with everybody, especially Scott Boras, with his "Death Star" quote, right? 

Then again, if the White Sox are the only team in hot pursuit of Bryce Harper, as some baseball people seem to think, maybe anything really is still possible as it pertains to his free agency. 

Who knows? Cashman seemingly had done everything but submit to a lie-detector test to convince the world he has no interest in signing Harper, and then suddenly he was making a Star Wars reference that plays into the Yankees' Evil Empire image. 

The Yankees have their five-man rotation set, but could GM Brian Cashman find room to squeeze in Madison Bumgarner?

Cashman's "pivot" comment at the Winter Meetings on Wednesday served as a reminder that you can never totally count the Yankees out of making a surprise splash. Though Bryce Harper and Manny Machado immediately came to mind with Cashman's remarks, a blockbuster trade for Bumgarner remains a possibility even after the signing of J.A. Happ.

The 29-year-old ace and Giants playoff hero has one year and $12 million left on his contract. San Francisco is likely seeking "at least one high-end pitching prospect" in any deal for him, according to MLB.com's Jon Morosi.

The Yankees saw a few players come and go during the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday at the Las Vegas Winter Meetings.

New York selected RHP Adonis De la Cruz from the Mariners, and OF Tyler Hill was traded to the Yankees from the Tigers. 

De la Cruz, 23, posted a 4.71 ERA with the Clinton LumberKings (Mariners A-ball team) over 57.1 innings in 34 games. A converted outfielder in 2014, De la Cruz has found a niche in the bullpen. 

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees have reached the offseason many believed would see them make monumental moves that push them back to the head of the pack in the American League as they aim for a 28th World Series title. 

Here is an update of rumors surrounding the Yankees pursuits, followed by my take on how things currently stand and may shake out...

Happ signing doesn't preclude trade

Yankee Stadium reportedly ranks the worst in food sanitation among all MLB parks, according to ESPN and Outside the Lines.

OTL collected more than 16,000 food-safety inspection reports from health departments that monitor all 111 North American facilities among the four major sports. It found that Yankee Stadium had a 79.07 percent violation rate, which ranked the worst among all MLB stadiums and 102nd out of 107 applicable venues. (There was not enough data for four venues.)

Of the 43 outlets inspected at Yankee Stadium, 34 of them contained high-level violations. OTL notes that six locations contained "raw, cooked or prepared food is aduleterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated or not discarded," according to ESPN.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter | : After re-signing with the Yankees, J.A. Happ will be a perfectly fine No. 4 starter in the Bronx. And such a deal makes more sense than giving Patrick Corbin six years at something approaching the $140 million he received from the Nationals.

It probably just doesn't sound quite as appealing to Yankee fans after all the buzz about a potential trade for Noah Syndergaard the last couple of days.

Same goes for the weeks of speculation about trading for Corey Kluber that apparently goes by the wayside now...

The Yankees and free agent LHP J.A. Happ have struck a two-year deal with a third year vesting option, SNY's Andy Martino reports. 

The deal is reportedly worth $34 million with a $17 million option for 2021 based on innings pitched or games started, per Joel Sherman of The Post. 

While signing Happ sures up a solid five-man rotation for the Yankees in 2019, Martino adds that GM Brian Cashman isn't entirely out on the starting pitcher trade market. However, he is more comfortable with focusing on the team's other needs with Happ secured.

You can now refer to GM Brian Cashman as Darth Vader after his latest comments at the Las Vegas Winter Meetings on Wednesday.

Cashman was asked once again about top free agent Bryce Harper, who he said Monday he was "surprised you are still asking" about. The prodding for a different answer stems from Harper's agent, Scott Boras, telling the media he "never heard the Yankees say that" on Wednesday.

Well, Cashman didn't necessarily change his stance about signing Harper. However, he did compare his organization to a certain Star Wars battleship...

The Yankees are still in play to bring free agent reliever Zach Britton back to the Bronx, according to Marc Carig of The Athletic.

As the Yankees continue to move towards a deal with free agent starter J.A. Happ, GM Brian Cashman is considering inking Britton to a new contract after acquiring the lefty from the Orioles before the 2018 trade deadline.

The 30-year-old Britton had a 2.88 ERA (4.08 FIP) with a 1.160 WHIP in 25 regular season appearances out of the Yankee bullpen.

Scott Boras is either deaf or doesn't want to hear what Yankees GM Brian Cashman has to say. 

On Monday at the Winter Meetings, Cashman all but shut the door on the Yankees landing free agent OF Bryce Harper.

"The Harper stuff, I'm surprised you are still asking," he said...

The Yankees may not want Sonny Gray on their team anymore, but they are certainly holding him in high regard for any potential suitors. 

Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yankees asked the Cincinnati Reds for top outfield prospect Taylor Tramell in exchange for the right-hander. 

The Reds declined, of course. 

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

LAS VEGAS - In their search for rotation help, the Yankees continue to pursue both J.A. Happ and Mets pitchers, according to major league sources.

The team has what they consider a strong offer out to Happ, and hope he accepts it. So far, Happ has held strong on his desire for three guaranteed years. The Yankees have been reluctant to go there for a 36-year-old pitcher. Still, there is strong mutual interest.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees have reached the offseason many believed would see them make monumental moves that push them back to the head of the pack in the American League as they aim for a 28th World Series title. 

Here is an update of rumors surrounding the Yankees pursuits, followed by my take on how things currently stand and may shake out...

As Yankees-Mets talks stall, Andujar's availability comes to fruition

Yankees manager Aaron Boone indulged in a lengthy interview with the media during the Las Vegas Winter Meetings, and he touched on a lot of the hot topics surrounding the team as it gears up for the new season. 

Other than starting pitching, one of the biggest areas the Yankees need to figure out is what they are going to do at shortstop while Didi Gregorius recovers from Tommy John surgery. They have a couple options with winning the Manny Machado sweepstakes, and moving Gleyber Torres to shortstop -- his natural position -- among them. 

Boone didn't divulge on which option he would rather have, but he did give credit to Torres for how his versatility in the infield will help the Yankees either way...

Free agent reliever Adam Ottavino drew headlines on Monday when he said on MLB's Statcast podcast that he would "strike out Babe Ruth every time."

Now there is a chance he could be wearing the same pinstripes as the Great Bambino.  

Yankees GM Brian Cashman met with Ottavino's reps on Tuesday, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, who reports the hard-throwing right-hander is high on the Yankees' wish list. 

Manny Machado and his agent Dan Lozano will be making four in-person visits with teams in the coming days at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, per ESPN's Buster Olney.

According to Fancred Sports Jon Heyman, the Yankees, Phillies and White Sox are among them with three mystery teams -- not just one -- also meeting with the top free-agent. 

But, in his typical fashion regarding these situations, Yankees GM Brian Cashman responded with "I wouldn't say" when asked if he is going to meet with the 26-year-old All-Star. 

It was reported earlier Tuesday the Yankees may be in on the J.T. Realmuto trade talks, but GM Brian Cashman killed that idea right away during his media availabilty.

According to multiple reports, Cashman isn't pursuing a starting catcher, and is committed to Gary Sanchez staying in the position for the 2019 season. 

The reason some may have believed the Yankees would want a change at the catching position stems from Sanchez' tumultuous season in 2018. He hit a dreadful .186/.291/.406 with 18 homers and 53 RBI over 89 games, as he battled trips to the DL with groin injuries. 

The Yankees have been interested in a reunion with free-agent LHP J.A. Happ, but he might be out of their grasp soon. 

According to The Post's George A. King III, Happ and the Phillies are "getting closer" to making a deal happen. The deal Happ was looking for was supposedly one for three years, and he hasn't seen that offer yet. SNY's Andy Martino reported earlier the Yankees have been "highly reluctant" to give the 36-year-old more than a two-year deal.

So, if the Phillies show those three years to Happ, he would likely rejoin the team that he played for from 2007-10. Both teams are searching for another starting pitcher after losing out on LHP Patrick Corbin (six-year, $140 million deal with Nationals) and RHP Nathan Eovaldi (four-year, $67.5 million deal with Red Sox)...

In what was a shocking announcement to many, the Blue Jays announced Tuesday they have released All-Star SS Troy Tulowitzki. 

Tulowitzki, 34, has had many issues staying on the field in the past two seasons. He missed all of last season with bone spurs in both of his heels, and he suffered a brutal right ankle sprain in July 2017 that forced him to only play 66 games. 

However, according to Yahoo! Sports Jeff Passan, Tulowitzki is currently working out at Long Beach State (his alma mater) and is "said to be in best health in a long time."

Free agent OF Andrew McCutchen and the Phillies have reportedly agreed to a three-year deal, which was first reported by The Athletic's Matt Gelb. 

Gelb adds that McCutchen's deal is worth $50 million with a club option.

After striking a trade with the Giants last season, McCutchen played 25 games with the Yankees. He hit .253/.421/.471 with five homers and 10 RBI over that span while filling a big gap with injuries plaguing the Yankees' outfield. 

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

LAS VEGAS - Monday night at the winter meetings brought a frenzied rush for information, and the reader at home was left to sift through multiple reports, adrenaline pumping, trying to piece it all together.

So we thought it would be useful to gather everything we know so far in one place. The major story, as of this moment, is that the Mets and Yankees have been in serious trade talk about Noah Syndergaard and other pitchers. Late Monday we reported that the Yanks were "pushing hard" to get a deal done with the Mets.

From the Mets perspective, they considered a trade with the Yankees a real possibility, but one of several options.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Reports coming out of the winter meetings in Las Vegas on Tuesday have indicated that the Yankees might be willing to include third baseman Miguel Andujar in a potential blockbuster three-way trade with the Mets and Marlins.

The deal, which became the talk of the meetings on Monday night, would have the Mets sending Noah Syndergaard to the Yankees, while getting back catcher J.T. Realmuto from the Marlins.

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen has made it clear he'd love to have Realmuto, but he doesn't seem willing to meet the Marlins' asking price, which would involve some combination of Amed Rosario, Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees and Mets ignited the hot stove in Las Vegas at the Winter Meetings Monday night when word broke that the clubs were trying to work a three-team deal with the Marlins that would net the Yanks right-handed pitcher Noah Syndergaard and the Mets, catcher J.T. Realmuto.

Eventually, the smoke settled, as SNY's Andy Martino reported that the Yankees are interested in the Mets starting pitching as a whole (Zack Wheeler and Steven Matz would seem the logical options), and not just Syndergaard. 

How would each pitcher help the Yankees?

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees have reached the offseason many believed would see them make monumental moves that push them back to the head of the pack in the American League as they aim for a 28th World Series title. 

Here is an update of rumors surrounding the Yankees pursuits, followed by my take on how things currently stand and may shake out...

Yankees interested in Mets pitching

The Yankees, Mets and Marlins are discussing a potential three-team deal that could involve RHP Noah Syndergaard going to the Yankees and catcher J.T. Realmuto going to the Mets, according to multiple reports.

There is a "real possibility," SNY.tv's Andy Martino reports, that Syndergaard joins the Yankees in a blockbuster trade, however the Mets are also considering "10 other scenarios," according to Martino.

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen said earlier this offseason it would take "very special circumstances" to "even consider" trading Syndergaard, the dominant Mets starter who went 13-4 with a 3.03 ERA in 25 starts last season.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman seemingly shut the door on a pursuit of free agent Bryce Harper while speaking Monday at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas.

After talking about the Yankees' loaded outfield situation, saying Harper at first base for them isn't realistic, and noting that he has limited money, Cashman got blunt.

"The Harper stuff, I'm surprised you are still asking," he told reporters...

Yankees GM Brian Cashman said he has spoken with Manny Machado's agent, Dan Lozano, multiple times this offseason but none yet in Las Vegas during the MLB Winter Meetings.

"I'm not going to deny we've had a conversation or two," Cashman said, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

The Yankees aren't "all-in" on signing Machado, SNY.tv's Andy Martino reported, and they are reportedly unwilling to get in a bidding war and pay him a $300 million contract.

While the Yankees have been looking at Manny Machado as an infielder to take over while Didi Gregorius recovers from Tommy John surgery, they could also be in the trade market for Reds infielder Scooter Gennett.

The Yankees and Reds had "a little talk" regarding Gennett, according to Fancred's Jon Heyman, although it is unclear how significant of a talk it was.

The 28-year-old Gennett, who recorded a .310/.357/.490 batting line with 23 home runs and 92 RBIs in 154 games with Cincinnati last season, has one more year of arbitration eligibility before he can become a free agent.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman was willing to offer LHP Patrick Corbin a five-year deal worth around $100 million, but wasn't willing to meet his starting point of six years, $126 million.

Cashman held firm, and he has no regrets.

Despite Cashman believing Corbin was "the best free-agent pitcher in the market" this offseason, he told reporters he was "comfortable" with the Yankees staying put at a max of five years.

"[That was] not the level we were going to play in," Cashman said about Corbin, who signed a six-year, $140 million deal with the Nationals last week.

The Yankees have scouted Japanese LHP Yusei Kikuchi "extensively," GM Brian Cashman told reporters Monday at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. 

In addition to the Yankees, the Giants, Red Sox, Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers, and Rangers are among the teams who have also scouted Kikuchi.

The Yanks, who remain engaged with free agent J.A. Happ and have interest in trading tor Indians ace Corey Kluber, are looking to add one more starter after striking a trade for James Paxton earlier this offseason. 

The Indians are ready to part ways with their two-time Cy Young award winner, and they've made it clear who they want in return.

If the Tribe trade Corey Kluber, they would like to receive a young outfielder in the deal, according to MLB Network Insider Jon Morosi. As trade talks intensify with a number of teams, including the Dodgers, Cleveland is targeting Yankees top prospect Estevan Florial as a potential landing spot for Kluber. 

Florial, 21, is New York's minor league star that broke out in 2018 despite a right hand injury that derailed some of his season. The Dominican Republic native put up a triple-slash line of .255/.354/.361 with six homers, 35 RBIs, 19 doubles, four triples, 16 stolen bases and a .799 OPS across 84 games primarily with Single-A Tampa.