WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 23: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals stands on deck in the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on August 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The New York Yankees are ready to spend some money this offseason. With Winter Meeting getting underway it looks like the Yankees are already out on one big name.
The New York Yankees were a game away from the World Series two seasons ago. They didn’t have the same luck this past season losing to the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS. Now that they’re under the luxury tax it’s time to go back to their old spending ways this offseason.
Winter Meetings are underway, and the Yankees have a few holes they’d love to address. They still want another starter after missing out on Patrick Corbin, and they’re looking for another bat in the middle of the lineup. Not to mention they need a temporary replacement for Didi Gregorius while he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
Of course the Yankees are in on the big names like Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. Unfortunately it seems like Yankees fans shouldn’t get their hopes up on signing Harper.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman stated at the Winter Meetings that Harper isn’t a fit for the team. He also cited that the team already has six outfielders, and they didn’t see a future at first base for him.
While all of that sucks to hear for fans, you shouldn’t get to down about it because for one, Cashman is right on both fronts. Secondly, the team has other needs. As for the guys that are already in the outfield, while they aren’t Harper they’re still pretty good at their job. Brett Gardner is still a Gold Glove caliber left fielder, Aaron Hicks has turned himself into one of the best center fielders in baseball and we all know what Aaron Judge can do.
The Yankees may actually want a legitimate first baseman, and as mentioned before they need a temporary replacement at shortstop. Manny Machado would be the perfect to fill in at short, and then move back to third when Gregorius returns.
Harper might not be the fit for the Yankees, but the team can’t go wrong with Machado either. We’ll see what the team decides to do this offseason.