New York Yankees News & Notes: Freese, Tanaka, A-Rod

Sep 5, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees third baseman

(13) doubles to deep left during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

We are a mere two weeks from Thanksgiving. That means the hot stove is churning along in earnest and even though there haven’t been any big name signings, that doesn’t mean that things aren’t happening. Let’s take a look at some news and notes.

Don’t Freese out Yet: It doesn’t look like the Yankees will be trading for David Freese anytime soon. The Yankees don’t appear to have anything the Cardinals want to trade for. However, it is possible (though would be rather surprising)  that the Cardinals will non-tender Freese. If they do, he’s a free agent and the Yankees won’t be alone in trying to acquire Freese’s services.

A-Rod: Just because the hearing doesn’t resume until next week (oh goody!) Alex Rodriguez will be questioned by MLB about Biogenesis (not about the recent tabloid fodder). Will he actually answer any questions? That remains to be seen. He didn’t last time and doesn’t have to which makes it interesting that he’s even there.

No Posting and Toasting?: The Yankees may be looking to add 400 innings to their rotation as Brian Cashman has said, however, Masahiro Tanaka may not be 200 of those innings. The new posting system between MLB and the NPB has yet to be agreed on, and if they don’t reach agreement, Tanaka won’t be coming state side. That will certainly throw a monkey wrench in the Yankees plans for this off-season, especially with the fee not counting toward the luxury tax.