New York Yankees News And Notes November 5: Phillips, Jay-Z, Award Finalists

Welcome to first official day of free agency. No, the Yankees haven’t added anyone quite yet, but that doesn’t mean the rumor mill isn’t full of rumors. Let’s take a look at the New York Yankees news of the day.

Sep 8, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds second baseman

(4) knocks down a ball hit by Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher

(not pictured) during the game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports

Dat Dude NY?: It appears that Brian Cashman is a big fan of the site. A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned Brandon Phillips as a potential option to replace Robinson Cano if he leaves in free agency. Well, it appears that Cashman reached out to the Reds today about the possibility of doing so. Apparently the price is high, as it should be, especially at this point in the off-season. Cashman is just being proactive.

A no-no by Jay-Z and Cano: Agents aren’t supposed to give clients gifts. Those rules apply to Cano and his agent Jay-Z. Apparently, those rules might have been violated. Here is the quote from ESPN.com:

"The Major League Baseball Players Association is investigating whether Jay Z might have violated the union’s agent regulations for giving Robinson Cano a $33,900 watch during a recent birthday party for the New York Yankees second baseman in Belgium, sources told ESPN.com.According to media reports and postings on Cano’s Instagram account, Cano received a limited-edition Shawn Carter Classic Fusion watch by Hublot during an Oct. 22 party in conjunction with his 31st birthday. Jay Z, who helped to design the watch, performed in concert in Antwerp, Belgium, the previous night as part of his “Magna Carta Tour.’"

According to the MLBPA rules, no agent can give a player a gift worth over $500 without permission first.

Award Season: The BBWAA finalists were announced and no members of the Yankees, players or manager Joe Girardi were finalists. The only one you could make a case for really was Girardi, but the Writers felt Bob Melvin, John Farrell and Terry Francona were more deserving.

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