Around the Empire: Yankees news - 11/19/24

MLB.com | Manny Randhawa : Right-hander Luis Gil is the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, narrowly beating out Baltimore's Colton Cowser in the second-closest tally in Junior Circuit history since the ballot was revamped in 1980. The only tighter race went against New York, when the Royals' Ángel Berroa beat future '09 Yankees teammate Hideki Matsui in '03. Back in the present day, Austin Wells finished third in the voting, with his cold, cold September costing him first-place votes (and the Yanks a shot at a PPI draft pick ).

Congrats to Luis, the 10th Rookie of the Year in franchise history and just the second this century!

New York Post | Jon Heyman : Hal Steinbrenner and the Yankee braintrust traveled to Southern California on Monday to meet with Juan Soto and agent Scott Boras, trying to lure the superstar away from the deep, deep pockets of the crosstown Mets . While Steve Cohen's billions are still the biggest obstacle to the Yankees , the reigning World Series champion Dodgers are expected to also meet with Soto ahead of the Winter Meetings. A member of Soto's camp disclosed that, despite some earlier reporting, the 26-year-old has no bias when it comes to geography, making the Dodgers another major player in this game. With Mookie Betts moving back to the infield as well, they have an open spot in right for Soto. Beware the champs.

NJ.com | Max Goodman : Dave Sims knows he has big shoes to fill. Announced last week as the replacement for John Sterling as WFAN's play by play man, Sims will bring one of the more unique styles to the Yankee radio booth. The job is something of a homecoming for the 71-year-old, who's long owned a house in New York and spent several years at WFAN. While the radio broadcasts in 2025 will sound quite different than fans might be used to, count me in the camp excited to hear what Sims can bring to the table.

FanGraphs | Jay Jaffe : We're right on the cusp of Hall of Fame voting, and as usual Jay's all over it. This year's ballot should see multiple inductees like last year, with Yankee legend Ichiro Suzuki and 10th-year hopeful Billy Wagner likely to cross the 75 percent threshold. Other former Yankees up this go-round include Curtis Granderson and of course CC Sabathia. Sabathia in particular is a good litmus test for the "new" ace, one who doesn't have the traditional pitcher's counting stats but was unquestionably induction-worthy in the new style of baseball.

MLB Trade Rumors | Steve Adams : We all know that the Rays will be playing their 2025 home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field, but the lasting damage to Tropicana Field has thrown the franchise's future into jeopardy. Conflict with Pinellas County over both Trop repair costs and bond approval for redevelopment financing on the planned new St. Petersburg stadium in 2028 has the Rays once again threatening relocation.