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Yankees News: Competition Will ‘Go Crazy’ To Sign Yoan Moncada

By Caleb Gebrewold

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With Yoan Moncada officially cleared, and expected to sign soon, the New York Yankees appear to be the current favorites to sign the latest Cuban import.  There will not be a lack of competition though as Ken Davidoff of the NY Post states that the San Diego Padres, San Fransisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers are all “regarded as serious threats to sign Moncada“.  While the Boston Red Sox were initially thought to be heavy suitors of Moncada, their interest has seemed to cool off in recent weeks, as they have smartly realized that the need for Moncada simply is not there unless they are to pull off a blockbuster trade.

With the signing of Pablo Sandoval to play third base, Xander Bogaerts playing shortstop, and Dustin Pedroia signed long term at second base, there is nowhere for Moncada to play.  Even after those players, they have depth on the infield in terms of prospects as Garin Cecchini, and Deven Marrero are two of many players on the cusp of being ready to become everyday major league players, but blocked.  Mookie Betts and Brock Holt both are also natural infielders playing out of position, so it is doubtful the Red Sox will commit the near $100 million it will take to sign Moncada.

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The Yankees might have the biggest need of the four ball clubs expected to be willing to spend the money necessary to bring Moncada in.  While the Padres have a rather weak infield, and the Giants and Dodgers both lost key players to the Red Sox in Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez, leaving all three with glaring needs, the Yankees are without a face of the franchise.  After the retirement of long time icon and face of the franchise Derek Jeter, the Yankees have no home grown superstar who can be labeled the face of the franchise.  Robinson Cano is now with the Seattle Mariners, Brett Gardner is not a superstar and does not sell tickets, CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira both were once capable of putting fans in seats, are now both injury-prone and on the decline, although they were free agent signings.

Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda could develop into the type of pitchers that bring fans out, but they have both yet to pitch a full season as a member of the Yankees.  The only player on this roster that fans will be willing to pay to see is Alex Rodriguez, and he is Alex Rodriguez, baseball’s bad guy, whose rift with the organization, and fall from grace, due to both injuries and suspension, are far too deep for him to ever be considered the face of the franchise.  Dellin Betances is a reliever, and although he is home grown and very talented, he does not pitch enough to be considered the face of the franchise.

If reports are true, Moncada has the chance to be that player for the Yankees, the ones that fans come to see, whether at home or on the road.  The Yankees were a mediocre ball club last year, but everywhere they went, games were sold out, due to fans wanting to see Jeter.  Attendance has been steadily declining for several seasons now, and 2015 could mark the first year since 1998 that the Yankees don’t seat 3,000,000 fans at Yankee Stadium.

While Aaron Judge and Luis Severino could very well become faces of the franchise, Moncada seems to be a next level prospect, as many have stated he will be a top ten prospect upon signing, very high praises for a 19-year old kid who hasn’t even played minor league ball.  While the farm system is currently ranked in the middle of the pack, albeit it is trending upwards, signing Moncada could give the Yankees a top ten system.  Sometimes the signing is about more than simply the player, and this is one player that the Yankees should not let get away.

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