Yankees News: Spring training battles, World Baseball Classic, Brian Cashman

Pitchers and catchers report NEXT WEEK! New York Yankees baseball is almost back. So now we're here to talk spring training battles, lingering offseason rumors, the World Baseball Classic, and whatever general manager Brian Cashman decided to say this week.

As for spring training, start gearing up. We're about to see competitions at shortstop and in left field, at the very least. Could be some tussling at third base if Josh Donaldson's bat doesn't pick up. You never know.

The Yankees released their non-roster invites to spring training and prospects like Anthony Volpe, Jasson Dominguez, Austin Wells and Elijah Dunham -- all of whom are looking to press the issue ahead of Opening Day, whether it's likely or not -- will be there.

Volpe is expected to be in the mix for the starting shortstop job, but Oswald Peraza has the lead at the moment. Volpe could force the issue and make things uncomfortable for the Yankees, so be on the lookout for some disruption (even though it feels unlikely).

But we are wondering ... will Gleyber Torres be on the Opening Day roster? Is the starting left fielder even here yet? Is DJ LeMahieu as healthy as they say he is? Aaron Hicks? ... ??

Yankees News: World Baseball Classic and Brian Cashman comments

• There will be four Yankees participating in the World Baseball Classic. Both Nestor Cortes and Kyle Higashioka will suit up for Team USA. Gleyber Torres will play for Venezuela and Jonathan Loaisiga will be hurling for Nicaragua. Root for all these guys. What an honor this is.

• Brian Cashman decided to speak this week and his comments have made headlines. Very much something we don't like to write about, but the fact he wondered why Yankees fans were frustrated with how the 2022 season ended shows his finger isn't on the pulse. Getting swept by the Astros and losing to them for the FOURTH time in the postseaon since 2015 doesn't mark a "successful" campaign. The Yankees were on a historic pace in the first half of 2022 and then cratered. They barely beat the Guardians. They got destroyed by Houston. There better be improvement year over year, that's all we're saying.

MLB News: Blue Jays, Astros, Padres and more

• The Blue Jays signed Bo Bichette to a three-year contract to avoid arbitration. Good for them. Now maybe their fans won't cry about us questioning the Daulton Varsho trade.

• The Astros defeated Kyle Tucker in an arbitration hearing. Yankees fans would love if this soured the relationship between the two sides, but it probably won't. The Astros get their way since 2015 and there's nothing we can do about it.

• The Padres are here, as always. They signed Yu Darvish to a six-year extension, which will take him through his age-42 season. Wow. Seems insane. And they also plan to sign Manny Machado to a new contract to avoid having him opt out after the 2023 season. San Diego is for real. Wouldn't mess with them right now.