OMGSports!

The Yankees have moved a little further towards establishing a a working agreement with the Chinese Baseball Association. They're sending some executives over to talk about setting up a baseball academy, sending over trainers and coaches, and getting some awesome discounts on bottles of sake.

"According to a major league executive who has been briefed on the Yankees' intentions, the Yankees -- operating in consultation with Major League Baseball -- have been in negotiations for seven months on this deal. The Yankees' goal is to get their brand into the world's most populated nation, and put themselves in position, down the road, to scout talent, while working with members of the CBA to improve the state of baseball in China.

Similarly, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays were the first teams to firmly establish themselves in the Dominican Republic, and benefited greatly. Nothing prevents other Major League Baseball teams from attempting to reach the same strategic alliance that the Yankees hope to soon formalize."

Yankees GM Brian Cashman seemed happy about recent negotiations with the Chinese, but it was tough to make a concrete call in that regard, as most of his most recent press conference was conducted intermittently through mouthfuls of Pork Fried Rice and Sesame Chicken. Each member of the media was supplied with a fortune cookie upon leaving the conference.

Ours said: "You are both generous and well-endowed."

Labels: China, MLB, Yankees