Yankees don’t need to go after Manny Machado because of Didi Gregorius

Through all the excitement of the regular season starting, Yankees fans may have forgotten that the Manny Machado rumors have been put on hold, but are still looming.

I have been saying no, ever since the Machado rumors began and even before the Yankees acquired Brandon Drury. Based off how the season has started, my argument is only strengthened, that the Yanks should not go after Machado at the deadline or in free agency.

There is no doubt he is a superstar, a very young one with tons of MLB experience at that. However, there is no room for him on the Yankees.

Since Machado wants to play shortstop, the Yanks would have to either trade Didi Gregorius or make him move to another position. The outfield is packed, so the only other viable option would be second base.

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It turns into choosing between Gregorius, Tyler Wade and Gleyber Torres to be the Yankees’ long-term second baseman. Torres is one of the best prospects in the game and is hyped up to have an excellent MLB career once he develops. Trading or blocking him would be talent wasted.

As for Gregorius, taking playing time away or trading him would make Yankees’ fans livid. Didi is undoubtedly a fan favorite and is one of the most underrated shortstops in MLB.

Gregorius had a career year in 2017 and is off to an even better start this year having picked up eight RBI in Tuesday’s historical performance against the Rays. Benching or trading Gregorius is not an option.

The only other way to make it work would be to have Machado move back to third base, therefore blocking Brandon Drury and Miguel Andujar. Drury has the tools to be the Yankees’ next breakout star. He too is off to a hot start, with a .929 OPS and .400 OBP in the early stages of the season.

Andujar, much like Torres, is a heralded prospect that should have a thriving MLB career in store. It is not set in stone that he will be a third baseman, as he will take reps at first base this year.

But my point is that the Yanks do not need Machado when they already have multiple options at third base and one of the best overall shortstops in the league.

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As enticing as it may seem to acquire one of the game’s younger superstars, the Yankees would be wise to put a huge chunk of change towards something else other than Machado. Having too much of a good thing can turn out to be the Achilles Heel.