In normal years, spring training is already a time in which fans hyper-focus on their own team, and for good reason. Between position battles, the first glimpses of new free agent and trade acquisitions, and the allure of top prospects playing alongside the big leaguers, there’s no time to look around and see what else is going on.
This rings true even more so than usual in 2021, as the travel limitations have meant that the Yankees have only faced five other teams in spring training games this winter — the Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, and Pittsburgh Pirates — limiting the opportunities to learn what news is buzzing around other teams’ camps.