With the Yankees resetting their luxury tax threshold and big names entering the free agency market, expect them to be very aggressive this offseason.
While we wish we saw this postseason end with the Yankees becoming World Series champions, we can at least look at the positive side. For the first time since 2009, the Yanks hit 100 wins in the win column. With that being said, there are also big names entering the free agency market this offseason. Don’t rule out the Yankees being in the mix to get them.
Yankees managing general partner, Hal Steinbrenner, phoned into the Michael Kay show and it seems he will not be close-minded to some big names when it comes to spending on free agents. Per NYPost.com:
"“Look, my family has always been willing to take money that comes off the payroll and put it back in,” Steinbrenner said Friday on “The Michael Kay Show” on ESPN 98.7 FM. “We’re going to do our best to field a championship-caliber team every single year. This coming year is going to be no different than last.”"
It’s definitely going to be a great and interesting offseason since the Yankees will finally be under the $197 million luxury tax threshold for the first time since 2003 when the luxury tax penalty took effect. They’ll now be able to spend a hefty amount of money (without worrying about big penalty fees) towards some new big names in the free agency market.
Some names entering the market are Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw (who’s expected to opt-out at the end of this season), Dallas Keuchel and Patrick Corbin Patrick Corbin.
I’ve always admired how much the Yankees’ organization cares about winning and their willingness to spend money if they need to, to make sure they put a championship-caliber team on the field every year.
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They need to prioritize on boosting the starting rotation after Yankees starters really struggled this postseason. Left-hander, Patrick Corbin, would be a great fit after he posted a 3.15 ERA in 2018 with the Diamondbacks while striking out 246 opponents. Another starting pitcher the Bombers can sign is Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel. He posted a 3.74 ERA this season striking out 153.
The Bombers should also consider re-signing left-hander J.A. Happ (7-0) after he was incredible for them after they acquired him from the Blue Jays for infielder Brandon Drury and prospect outfielder Billy McKinney. Happ posted a 2.69 ERA with the Bombers while striking out 63 opponents.
The Yankees also announced that shortstop Didi Gregorius will be undergoing Tommy John surgery on his throwing arm, and he’s expected to miss a lot of the 2019 season. However, if his surgery is performed by the end of October, doctors said he could potentially be back in June 2019. So, as you would assume, many people will think that the four-time All-Star, Machado could replace Didi at shortstop.
If that does happen, the Bombers would have to spend a hefty amount on him. As Yanks Go Yard co-editor Mac Josephson recently wrote the Yanks could opt to move Gleyber Torres to shortstop and re-sign Neil Walker to cover second base until Didi returns. That might be the best option if especially if the Yanks want to focus the most on adding starting pitching.