Yankees Rumors: Exploring the available middle infield market
By Jon Butensky
*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.