Yankees could sign Freddy Galvis to be the short-term replacement for Didi

Manny Machado is the Yankees top free agent target but it remains to be seen whether they will be willing to offer him a 10-year deal. Along with the Phillies, they’re still the favorites to sign him, but should they miss out they could look to pursue slick-fielding shortstop Freddy Galvis.

Last week the Yankees hosted Manny Machado and his wife for a 90-minute visit to Yankee Stadium before taking them out to a dinner in the New York City later that night. There’s obviously mutual interest between the two sides, but it seems like the Yanks are committed to not offering him the 10-year contract for over $300 million that contract he desires.

It’s not my money to spend, but I hope the Yankees front office doesn’t budge and give in to Machado and his demands. If that leads to him signing with the Phillies than so be it because with or without Machado I think the Yankees are still going to be championship contenders in 2019. Should Machado leave the aforementioned Galvis is someone the Yanks could pursue and offer a one-year deal. He could be an ideal short-term replacement for Didi Gregorius until he returns to the lineup sometime next June, July or August.

Galvis is an extremely durable player who’s played all 162 the last two seasons and is also known throughout the game as one of the best defenders at his position. He’s as sure-handed as it gets which is something the Yankees are looking for at shortstop during Didi’s absence.

Right now the Yankees infield defense heading into spring training looks very suspect, especially at the corners. Gleyber Torres continues to show promise as a defender at second but he struggled last year at short when Didi missed time and I think the Yankees would rather him stay at second to start next season. Having Didi as the captain of the infield last season helped make up for some of their defensive deficiencies as a whole so it’s important that whoever their shortstop is in 2019 defends at a very high level.

Although Galvis is elite with the glove he’s never been a great offensive player which could be a reason why the Yankees end up going in a different direction. He’s a switch hitter with some pop which is always a plus but he’s a career .246 hitter with a career .290 OBP. Galvis has averaged 15 homers a season over his last three but he’s also averaged 131 strikeouts during that span which is a lot for a .246 hitter.

However, since he’d be joining a lineup that’s already one of the best in baseball the Yankees wouldn’t need him to produce more than he’s capable of offensively. All they’d need from him is to play solid defense and pick up timely hits. Anything more than that would be a plus.

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Not having Didi is certainly a big blow to a Yankees lineup that’s right-handed heavy but they still have more than enough firepower to put up huge numbers and win a lot of games without him. Then once he returns Galvis can be used in a similar role as Adeiny Hechavarria was a season ago as a utility infielder and late-game defensive replacement for Miguel Andujar.

I know a lot of fans are hoping for Machado, but Galvis is a solid big league shortstop who would cost way less without the long-term commitment. Machado is a star, but the Yankees already have a collection of stars, who don’t possess the baggage Machado would bring to the organization.

The Yankees signing Galvis wouldn’t be the popular move, but if they did I think it would be a wise one. Even without Didi, they’d still be in a position to contend with Boston atop the AL East and then once he comes back they’ll have as good a shot as anyone to go all the way.