What happened: Negotiations between the New York Yankees and pitching coach Matt Blake on a new contract progressed toward an agreement Friday, per Joel Sherman and Greg Joyce of the New York Post. In separate franchise alumni news, 2009 World Series MVP Hideki Matsui was named manager of Nippon Professional Baseball's Yomiuri Giants, where former Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka remains on the active roster.

Why it matters: Under Blake, New York fielded one of the majors' top starting rotations in 2026 while converting unheralded arms into reliable bullpen contributors. Keeping him in place alongside general manager Brian Cashman, who agreed to a new deal earlier this week, stabilizes the club's decision-making core before winter roster moves begin.

What to watch: Official contract terms for Blake are expected once negotiations conclude. With the World Series underway, New York's player-personnel moves and free-agent decisions will follow the end of the postseason.