Re: Yankees fans as Kids

Corbin, Cole, Stroman - and many others can be Yankee fans growing up as kids. Cole went to college instead of signing his first MLB offer and later signed with the Pirates and the Pirates traded him to Houston -Corbin was a FA last year but wanted 6 or 7 years & the Yankees would not offer - too many years for a pitcher. Stroman was traded to the Muts by the Jays. Players have no say unless they have no-trade clauses when a team uses them for trade chips. We'll see what Cole does this off-season in FA.
When players become MLB players, it's no longer being a fan of the game that influences them but their job/livelihood. Most sign the where they get the most $$$$$, most years - not necessarily the team they rooted for as a child. You've heard it said baseball is a business - the team is out to make $$$$, so are the players, it's now a job not a hobby. Back in '60 I had a good friend who was a power-hitting 3Bman & huge Yankee fan but the Tigers offered him a descent contract; he signed it.
There are some veterans like DJ who signed with the Yankees because he saw the chance for post season. Definitely a great signing at low cost.

Players are professionals with a job to do just like a lawyer; doctor, plumber, ditch digger, Whatever your job, you want to make the most money you can and provide for your family. Before you criticize or blame them for dashing your hopes, remember the media often hypes these stories as agents try to drive up interest & offers for their clients. Unless a player says this is where I want to play - go make it happen, the agent will do his best to get the best contreact.