The Yankees obviously have Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. preparing for the regular season. All are established All-Stars, with Judge fresh off his second AL MVP in three seasons.
Shortly after failing to cover first base in Game 5 of the World Series against the Dodgers, Cole opted out of what was remaining of the nine-year, $324 million deal he signed in December 2019. Cole presented the Yankees with the option to add a year to the deal worth $36 million or he would become a free agent.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said the organization will allow "well-groomed beards" effective immediately, changing a rule his father, George, established in 1976.