Manny Machado in the Bronx this week and other Yankees observations

We’re told Manny Machado will be visiting the New York Yankees this week on Wednesday. Of course, he’s familiar with the stadium, having played six years as a visitor with the Baltimore Orioles.

Is Machado a target for an infield that has been beleaguered by injury and inexperience? Or have Machado’s on the field behavior and off the field comments left the Yankees lukewarm in pursuing him?

Andy Martino of SNY.tv.com reports that the Yankees “certainly aren’t desperate for Machado, whom they will only sign at their price.”  Reported to be looking to receive somewhere in the vicinity of $300 million, Martino says the Yankees are “unwilling to get into a bidding war and pay him a $300 million contract.”

What’s interesting about Machado in the Bronx is the several possibilities for using him to bolster the infield.  While his defense at shortstop has been anything but stellar, the Yankees would likely use him to fill the hole left by the loss of Didi Gregorius.  His defense at shortstop did improve when he was traded to the Dodgers in 2018, but his first half defensive numbers were abysmal.

From another perspective, however, Machado was a Platinum Glove winner at third base for the Orioles; perhaps Miguel Andujar is moved to another position or traded for a front-line starter (his defense at third base was the worst in the league), and Machado mans the hot corner and hopefully reprises his award-winning defense.

Whatever defensive options the Yankees choose to deploy if they acquire Machado, an infield staffed with Andujar, Machado and Gleyber Torres, no doubt, is imposing offensively.  Perhaps, what they lack in defensive prowess, they’ll make up for in run production.

Alternatively,  the Yankees could bypass Machado and search for a replacement among the other talented free agent and trade opportunities.  Scooter Gennett has been mentioned in Yankee trade rumors as the Yankees try to move Sonny Gray – the Cincinnati Reds are said to be in the market for starting pitching.

Jed Lowrie, formerly of the Oakland Athletics, is a free agent second base and utility man who is coming off a great year for the Athletics.

In a scenario where Lowrie or Gennett might fit into the Yankees infield, Torres would slide over to shortstop while Gregorius is out and Lowrie or Gennett would take over at second base.  When Gregorius returns, Torres goes back to second base and the Lowrie or Gennett would become the utility player off the bench.

Yankee fans are divided on how much they like the idea of Machado in the Bronx.  His attitude and behavior have been volatile issues since the postseason.  He provides several options for the Yankees, but without him, there are also options which would be equally exciting to see the Yankees explore.