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:

Might as well get the obvious choice out of the way.

Arguably the biggest free agent on the market, Manny Machado would look pretty good in pinstripes. You can also say that this is the most desired option among Yankees fan as well.

But does it actually make sense for New York? Why, yes. Yes, it does. The Yankees are getting a 26-year old phenom that’s just entering the prime of his career.

It would be ideal for Machado to play shortstop when the season begins, while Gleyber Torres continues to become accustomed to second base and Miguel Andujar handles third base.

However, Machado has a multitude of experience playing both shortstop and the hot corner. This is crucial because when Didi returns to the lineup, Aaron Boone could simply slide Machado over to third. You’re probably asking yourself, “But what about Miguel Andujar?” We’ll get to that later.

The past four seasons (2015-2018) have arguably been Machado’s best years of his career thus far. These are his season averages :

2015-18 Averages: 159 G, .284/.345/.511,180 H, 34 2B, 36 HR, 96 RBI, 93 R

For a player that was selected 3rd overall in the 2010 MLB Draft and made his Major League debut in 2012 as a 19-year old, Machado has certainly lived up to expectations. Not mention, Machado has made four All-Star Games (2013, 2015-16, 2018) and has collected two Gold Glove Awards (2013, 2015).

What is concerning though is that the 26-year old does have an injury history, including his knees. That shouldn’t deter the Yankees from signing the righty to a long-term contract, considering Machado hit .297/.367/.538 with 37 HR and 107 RBI in 162 games with both the Orioles and Dodgers in 2018.

Not only was this one of his best season to date statistically, but he’s clearly healthy and playing at an elite level.

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.