The notorious Yankees killer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., sought to reach an agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays on a contract extension earlier this week, but the two sides could not come to terms. He is now expected to be a key player in MLB’s next free-agent class.

Carlos Correa, the shortstop for the Minnesota Twins, has also been mentioned in trade rumors involving the Yankees.

Could the Yankees trade for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Carlos Correa? I don’t think so, and here’s why…

Despite a mostly uneventful week in New York sports, the Yankees are making headlines with some noteworthy developments.

First, Giancarlo Stanton reported to Yankees camp on Sunday with tendinitis in both elbows. He said he dealt with “tears in [his] tendon” throughout last season, including the playoffs, and he has not swung a bat in “three or four weeks.” According to Aaron Boone, Stanton's availability for Opening Day is uncertain.

“We want to make sure we’re giving [Stanton’s injury] as much time as it needs, so we’ll probably slow-play him a little bit,” Boone said. “I’m expecting him to be okay.” Last offseason, after the Yankees finished with an 82-80 record, one of the contributing factors was Stanton's health issues. Following the 2023 disaster, general manager Brian Cashman publicly acknowledged Stanton’s fragility, saying that injuries are part of his game. In response, Stanton lost weight, and despite consistent break throughout the regular season, he had a historic postseason performance.

It seems that the media may have over-analyzed Marcus Stroman’s absence from Spring Training. Stroman was simply spending extra time with his son, whom Stroman didn’t get to see much during the offseason after his house in Los Angeles burned down. “I’m so grounded at this point," said Stroman. "Nothing can really faze me.” He returned to Spring Training this morning.

Brian Cashman met with the media today, and Greg Joyce reported that Cashman was never worried about Stroman’s absence or the pitcher’s future with the team. He said this despite reports suggesting that for luxury tax purposes, the Yankees have been unwilling to sign more players unless they trade Stroman’s $18 million contract. Cashman didn't comment on this today, though. “That’s vintage Stro,” Cashman said, before adding that Stroman has not requested a trade. The Yankees plan to train Stroman as a starting pitcher, and while their starting rotation is quite deep, Stroman could serve as a reliable sixth man.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

John Mara saw the banners flying over MetLife Stadium during two of the Giants’ home games in 2024 as the team battled through a challenging 3-14 record in their centennial season. “I’ve just about run out of patience,” Mara told reporters after the Giants finished one of their worst seasons in franchise history. Now, Mara and Steve Tisch have enlisted Moelis & Company to potentially secure a “minority, non-controlling stake” in the New York Football Giants.

However, there’s a catch. The Giants organization's decision may not be a direct reaction to the airplanes that flew over the stadium this season. Instead, it aligns with a new NFL rule passed last August that allows private equity firms to buy up to a 10% stake in franchises. While this could benefit the Giants financially, it has no other significant implications.

Last night in Indianapolis, the Knicks beat the Pacers 128-115 as they recovered from a tough loss to Boston.

Because he got into foul trouble, Jalen Brunson only played for 22 minutes, but Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart filled in for him on the score sheet as the Knicks collected their fourth straight win on the road. Towns scored 40 points and added 12 rebounds to record his 40th double-double of the season. Josh Hart added a season-high 30 points to go with 10 rebounds and five assists. He went 12-for-16 from the field in the second half.

Welcome back, baseball! We’re so glad to see you again!

All Yankees pitchers and catchers reported to Tampa this morning as scheduled, and Aaron Boone met with the media.

This season, the expectation for the Yankees, more than usual, is to win the World Series. Of course, they must play a full season first, and championships aren’t won in February. However, establishing a championship-caliber clubhouse begins immediately, starting with the pitchers and catchers.

It’s going to be a long two weeks. The NFL season has fully concluded, the NHL regular season is on hold for two weeks because of the Four Nations Face-Off, and the NBA breaks for the All-Star Game on Wednesday. At least pitchers and catchers report soon.

Wait, is it that time already? Could it be?

Yes, it is! Pitchers and catchers report TOMORROW!

“Running on Ice.” When Chris Kreider threads the needle, he doesn’t just skate. He runs.

Last summer, Billy Joel performed his 150th show at Madison Square Garden, setting the record for the most performances at the venue by any artist. The Garden honored Joel by raising the number 150 to the rafters.

Last January (2024), Chris Kreider scored his 166th career goal at MSG, the most goals a single player ever scored in the arena. Last night, he scored his 320th career goal, a shorthanded game-winner, to become the eighth active US-born player in the NHL to score 50 career game-winning goals. With his 12th career shorthanded goal, he also tied Bill Fairbairn for fourth place on the Rangers’ all-time shorthanded goal-scoring list.

Last night in Toronto, the Knicks beat the Raptors 121-115. While the Knicks outscored Toronto 38-17 in the second quarter and led by 23 points in the third, ending the night with a win wasn’t easy.

The Knicks led Toronto 98-86 as the fourth quarter began. Nine minutes later, the Raptors were within one point of tying the score. And then came Jalen Brunson.

The Knicks are fortunate to have Jalen Brunson, and last night’s win is just one of many reasons why.

The Knicks delivered their best performance in the fourth quarter, scoring 46 points—the most in any fourth quarter since the 1976-77 season. Despite OG Anunoby's injury leaving the team shorthanded and allowing 104 field goal attempts, Jalen Brunson made no excuses.

The Knicks overcame a 12-point deficit to beat the Houston Rockets 124-118. Brunson scored 42 points, sealing the victory and setting the record for the third-most 40-point games in Knicks history (18).

Last night, the Rangers responded with an incredible comeback win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas has been one of the best third-period teams in the NHL this season, ranking second in both goals for and against in the third period. However, the Rangers were undaunted and scored three goals in the third to win the game 4-2, thanks to Jonathan Quick.

Quick's win last night marked the 400th of his career, making him the first American-born goaltender to reach this milestone. He is only the 15th NHL netminder to achieve it.

Have the Yankees made enough moves to fill the significant void left by Juan Soto? Hal Steinbrenner seems to think so. The Yankees’ chairman and managing general partner feels that improving the team's pitching and defense may make them a stronger contender than they were last season.

Indeed, the Yankees struggled defensively last year, and their starting pitching depth was lacking. With the addition of Max Fried, he and Gerrit Cole now form one of the best one-two pitching combinations in the league, although they are still behind the Dodgers.

For the first time since December 27, 2022, the New York Rangers were shut out at home, losing 4-0 to the Carolina Hurricanes last night.

On Sunday, the Rangers lost to Colorado after Artemi Panarin made a critical mistake with the puck, leading to a late Avalanche goal. Last night, a similar situation unfolded, but this time it occurred within the first minute of regulation. Panarin attempted to maneuver through three Hurricanes players but failed, resulting in a turnover and a goal.

“It runs through the team, and you have to sit him now,” said Steve Valiquette about Artemi Panarin. The issue extends beyond just the early goal last night; it also includes the late goal he allowed in the previous game. Panarin has been the Rangers’ best forward for years, but after a season full of career highs, he and his team seem to be forcing offensive plays too often.

The dunk-a-thon was on at the Garden last night as the Knicks dominated the Memphis Grizzlies 143-106. Memphis is the third-best team in the West, but for the first time in 45 years, the Knicks scored 140 points in back-to-back 48-minute periods.

The Knicks totaled significantly more possessions than Memphis, and it seemed like every player was hitting their shots. The Knicks recorded 20 steals and 29 defensive rebounds, while Memphis turned the ball over 26 times. The Knicks also tallied 32 assists, showcasing numerous perfectly executed passes.

When Jonathan Quick hosts team gatherings at his home, some of his teammates bring bottles of wine. Others bring bottles of syrup, says Peter Baugh of the Athletic.

A New York Ranger by day and a syrup maven by night, Sam Carrick’s maple syrup company is almost as intriguing as his success on Broadway. On the ice, Carrick has been the Rangers’ most noticeable forward this month as his line – the Rangers fourth line – has played a major role in the team’s recent success. Off the ice, Carrick and his brothers gather sap from maple trees in Ontario and turn them into syrup products.

For the first time since 1975, the New York Knicks are sending two players to start in the All-Star Game. Not even one Knick has started in the All-Star Game since 2016. The Knicks are the only team in the country to have two starters participating in this year’s All-Star Game. 50 years ago, it was Clyde Frazier and Earl Monroe. Now it’s Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Carsten “CC” Charles Sabathia Jr. will continue to wear the pinstripes with pride as his legacy lives on in the hallowed halls of Cooperstown. On Saturday, Sabathia was indoctrinated into the Baseball Hall of Fame with fanfare and cheers. WFAN’s John Sterling once referred to Sabathia as “an ace in every single possible way.” I’ve met Sabathia, and he truly is an ace both on and off the field.

For 19 years, the southpaw was a dominant force on the mound. A 2009 Yankees World Champion, Sabathia’s grit propelled the team’s success. “During my career with the Yankees, I had the honor of playing with so many talented players,” said Derek Jeter. “No player exemplified a Hall-of-Fame player and person more than CC Sabathia.” Teammates and coaches alike viewed Sabathia as an exceptional teammate, owing to his impeccable performances in the Yankees’ biggest moments, into and through October playoff runs.

I like to refer to the current Brooklyn Nets as the clowns of the NBA. There is literally a player on the team named Noah Clowney.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant once chose Brooklyn over Manhattan, and then they parted ways with New York City altogether. The result: the Nets are tanking while the orange and white are blooming, and the battle of the boroughs has shifted in Manhattan’s favor.

I suppose that the Knicks struggled in this game because it was the second half of a back-to-back. They will get three days of rest before their next game. The score was 99-95 in favor of the Knicks, who led by as many as 13 points before letting Brooklyn back in. The Nets are intentionally tanking, but not in this game. Never in a rivalry.

The Knicks beat Atlanta at the Garden yesterday afternoon. This time the dice rolled in Jalen Brunson’s favor as he put up 34 points on the Hawks. The Knicks won this game 119-110.

When the Knicks lost to the Hawks in the In-Season Tournament, Trae Young rolled some imaginary dice in center court as a celebration for winning a trip to Vegas. This time, though, the Knicks got their revenge, although Brunson claimed he wasn't seeking any.

This was one of their best defensive performances in months as they forced Atlanta to turn the ball over 23 times. Did they rally around the return of Karl-Anthony Towns, or around getting back at Trae Young?

Things are fun again on Broadway. The Rangers are playing with purpose, and with points in eight straight games, the push for a playoff spot is on.

On Saturday night at the Garden, the Columbus Blue Jackets came to town. Columbus played tough, low-event hockey, making few mistakes throughout. The Rangers matched that with their own gritty style of play, pushing Columbus to the brink and beating them in a shootout 1-0.