Yankees Rumors: Exploring the available middle infield market

The Yankees were dealt with a tough blow in October as it was announced that Didi Gregorius would miss most of the 2019 season due to Tommy John Surgery on his right elbow. With a sudden hole at shortstop, GM Brian Cashman could address this positional need in multiple directions.

There’s no argument to be made that Yankees fans wanted Didi as the starting shortstop on Opening Day in Baltimore. It’s unfortunately not going to happen, as his timetable estimates the 28-year old to return about two-thirds of the way into the season.

While most believe we could simply sign another shortstop for a majority of the season and give King Didi his throne back when he returns, Brian Cashman can actually get creative defensively.

Luckily, the middle infield market is extremely deep this offseason, so there are many qualified names to choose from. I truly believe that Cashman will try to acquire a replacement through the free agent market, not via trade.

Here are a couple of different scenarios the Yankees can focus on through the free agency:

*NOTE: This is under the assumption that Manny Machado takes his talents elsewhere

Why make matters complicated! Keep Torres at second base and continue his development at the position. After signing Troy Tulowitzki to one year deal that will pay him the league minimum late Tuesday night the Yankees now have a short-term replacement for Didi at short in case they don’t end up landing Machado.

They past on names including Freddy Galvis, Jose Iglesias, and Adeiny Hechavarria who are all sure-handed defenders but none of them possess the kind of upside the five-time All-Star Tulo does offensively.

The one concern With Tulo is and always be his injury history. Despite his track record Tulowitzki hasn’t been able to stay on the field for the past two seasons, missing most of 2017 and all of 2018. Tulo was released by the Toronto Blue Jays in early December with two years, $34 million remaining on his current contract, with a $4 million buyout in 2021. Yikes! However, the Yankees are basically getting him for free so this will be beneficial for their luxury tax concerns.

It’s a low-risk, high reward type signing. Now let’s just hope he can get through the first half of the season healthy until Didi’s return at some point in June or July.

When Gleyber Torres made his MLB debut in April 2018 with the Yankees, he arrived in the Bronx as a second baseman. However, when New York originally acquired Torres in a trade with the Chicago Cubs in July 2016, he had played most of his Minor League career as a shortstop. In fact, the versatile infielder had played 351 games at short between the Minors and Arizona Fall League before his promotion.

Point being, Torres is comfortable and extremely capable of manning the position until Gregorius returns. Additionally, Torres made 21 appearances at shortstop for the Bombers this past season.

This option also works in the Yankees favor due to the free agent second baseman market being extremely deep with proven veterans. Of the available players, some of the more recognizable names include Josh Harrison, Jed Lowrie, DJ LeMahieu, and Asdrubal Cabrera.

Of the four listed, LeMahieu and Lowrie are the most unrealistic. Both are likely two get multi-year deals, and it’s assumed that Cashman will want to only sign someone to a one-year deal.

Josh Harrison is an interesting candidate to play second, as it’s been noted by Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports that New York has kept tabs on the infielder. The 31-year old Harrison was a two-time All-Star at second base for the Pittsburgh Pirates but is also capable of handling third and the corner outfield spots.

Harrison is coming off a down 2018 campaign after he only appeared in 97 games after getting plunked on his left hand in April. The righty slashed .250/.293/.363 with eight HR and 37 RBI in his limited time on the field.

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What makes Harrison an attractive target is his reputation and versatility, as well as the potential to sign the Ohio native to a one-year deal and rebuild his value.

Lastly, most New York fans should be familiar with the name Asdrubal Cabrera. The 33-year old spent parts of three seasons (2016-18) with the crosstown rival New York Mets. Coming off a really nice year in which the veteran hit .262 with 23 HR and 75 RBI with the Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.

Cabrera is an ideal fit with the Yankees for two reasons: his versatility around the diamond and the fact he is a switch hitter. In 2018 alone, Cabrera played second, shortstop, and third base. This will obviously be key for the Yankees, considering Andujar’s defensive struggles at the hot corner.

Additionally, the Yankees are in dire need of some left-handed bats with the loss of Gregorius. While the switch-hitting Cabrera certainly won’t fix that void completely, he definitely could compliment the Yankees lineup against right-handed pitching.

I’ll keep this one short, mostly because it’s probably unrealistic.

This scenario requires signing Manny Machado to a long-term deal, but instead of keeping Andujar at the hot corner, the Yankees could trade the youngster for a starting pitcher. Additionally, Torres remains as the second baseman.

Some of the starting pitchers the Yankees have been connected to this offseason include Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, and Madison Bumgarner. I truly don’t believe that Cashman is going to give up on Andujar that easily. Although his defense is certainly poor at the moment, he has a tremendous doubles-approach at the plate that will later translate to home runs as he matures.

If Andujar is indeed moved and Cashman decides to stick Machado at third, the Yankees can play Tulo at short for the first half of the season and then add to what is already a much-improved starting staff.

Brian Cashman can certainly go in multiple directions. He could go the expensive route and sign Machado to a long-term deal or go with Tulowitzki short, keep Andujar at third and play things out until Didi’s return at some point late next summer. While Didi’s injury is certainly devastating, the Yankees are in a good position to fill that void.

Knowing Cashman, he has something up his sleeve and will reveal this plan when we least expect it.