Finally, the wait is over, the New York Yankees have waved from the balcony to see superstar free agent Manny Machado land on the West Coast. A long way away from the Bronx and a potential position battle at third base.
How the Yankees approached a potential deal:
The Yankees passed on Machado not because of his character flaws, but due to the price he was demanding. The generation talent wanted a 10-year, $300 million deal, and the San Diego Padres, an unlikely suitor, offered him the lot. But, they’re a lower-tier team that will likely wipe Machado’s name off the MLB map. While his love of winning was put in the back-seat, the contract will ensure his great-great-grandchildren never have to work a day in their lives.
The Bombers are looking for short-term, value-packed deals that will help them win a World Series this year, and courting Machado was never a long-term play, they needed his talents for one-season, maybe two, and then poof, gone like the wind.
With a .282 career batting average, the 26-year-old wanted to cash in, and we can’t fault him for that, but we can question is morals as a baseball player.
On the other hand, the Yanks are more than satisfied with their infield additions this offseason. Grabbing Troy Tulowtizki and DJ LeMahieu adds extreme value to the defense – five Gold Gloves between the two, and two solid bats to help keep the lineup fresh.
I’m most interested in Troy – his illustrious career bleeds optimism, but nagging injuries have derailed him quite a bit. Handling him carefully and managing his workload should be a primary focus this season.
Manager Aaron Boone commented on how Tulowitzki has looked so far:
“The way that he looks out there, he looks like Troy Tulowitzki. When we worked him out this winter, those were the reports. When we watched the videos, some of the footage that we got to see from those workouts, he looked that part. Now seeing him here, I know he’s been working hard every day over at (the minor-league complex at) Himes, getting his work in down here.
“Down here, it gets a little competitive out there and you challenge each other and there’s an energy to it. He brings that kind of energy that I think guys feed off of a little bit. To see him moving around, it’s exciting to see where he’s at right now.â€
It’s expected that Troy will act as the Yankees’ everyday shortstop with Didi Gregorius’ absence. Moving forward, I expect Tulo to rotate with Gleyber Torres at SS, and LeMahieu to rotate at second base and third if Miguel Andujar needs aid.