Stephanie Apstein

Joined: Jan 1, 2011

Stephanie Apstein is a senior writer covering baseball and Olympic sports for Sports Illustrated, where she started as an intern in 2011. She has covered 10 World Series and three Olympics, and is a frequent contributor to SportsNet New York's Baseball Night in New York. Apstein has twice won top honors from the Associated Press Sports Editors, and her work has been included in the Best American Sports Writing book series. A member of the Baseball Writers Association of America who serves as its New York chapter vice chair, she graduated from Trinity College with a bachelor's in French and Italian, and has a master's in journalism from Columbia University.

Fried was introduced by the Yankees Wednesday after agreeing to an eight-year, $218 million deal.

MLB

Yankees Ready to Arm Max Fried in His Relentless Pursuit of Improvement

Bellinger slashed .286/.340/.475 with 44 home runs and 29 stolen bases in his two seasons with the Cubs.

MLB

Hot Stove Takes: Yankees, Cody Bellinger Are an Obvious Offseason Match

Tucker’s departure could signal the end of the Astros’ World Series window.

MLB

Hot Stove Takes: Cubs Are NL Central Favorites After Acquiring Kyle Tucker

Cohen, left, and Soto shake hands at Thursday’s introductory press conference.

MLB

Juan Soto Addition Signals It’s Time to Take the Mets Seriously

Fried is headed to the Bronx after eight seasons with the Braves.

MLB

Hot Stove Takes: Max Fried Gives Yankees Elite Rotation, Opens Trade Possibilities

The Braves’ former ace is reportedly signing with the Yankees for eight years and $218 million, a record for a lefthanded pitcher.

Roki Sasaki made a huge impression with his electric performance during Japan's run to the 2023 World Baseball Classic title.

MLB

Roki Sasaki Nears Lifelong MLB Dream As Free Agency Sweepstakes Begin

The 23-year-old Japanese phenom pitcher left a nine-figure deal on the table by coming to the U.S. now, and has his sights set on stardom as all 30 teams line up to make their pitches.

Stearns isn’t ready to talk about the Mets’ reported signing of Juan Soto.

MLB

The Art of Avoiding the Elephant in the Room

The Mets have yet to announce they’ve signed Juan Soto, so team officials delivered a master class on evading reporters’ questions at Monday’s winter meetings.

Soto is headed to Queens after spending a season in the Bronx.

MLB

Juan Soto’s Self-Confidence Pays Off With Record MLB Contract

The newly signed New York Met confused teammates and family members by turning down a $440 million offer from the Nationals two years ago. His new contract validates his decision.

Buehler clinched the Dodgers’ first World Series title in a full season since 1988.

MLB

Best 2024 Moments: Walker Buehler Craved the Lasting Image of World Series Glory

Despite season-long struggles, the Dodgers pitcher wanted the ball with a championship on the line. It took a lie and a lot of persuading to get it, but he didn’t disappoint.

Severino helped the Mets reach last season’s NL championship series to rebound from an awful 2023 campaign with the Yankees.

MLB

Hot Stove Takes: Luis Severino Signing Marks an Abrupt, Calculated Shift for A’s

After starving his fan base of talented players for years, team owner John Fisher is suddenly willing to hand out the largest contract in franchise history upon leaving Oakland.

The Dodgers celebrate winning their second World Series in five years and their first in a full season since 1988.

MLB

High-Priced Dodgers Embrace Underdog Mentality to Win 2024 World Series

Los Angeles may not qualify as a true underdog story with its enormous payroll, but the Dodgers battled through their fair share of adversity in Wednesday’s Game 5 and the entire 2024 season to emerge as World Series champions.