Several reports coming out today that NYY are doing some real digging on Machado. Presumably to determine whether some of the off-putting antics this past Postseason were anything to be concerned about or not.
Machado seemingly more likely than Harper at this point.
Word is the Yanks are "ready to pounce" of the market on MM doesn't get out of hand.
Not necessarily. Could he starts at SS and can move to 3rd when Didi returns and they'll see how Miggy does during the season.
or
You could be right and he is part of the deal for Kluber or Paxton
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.@RealMichaelKay making the important distinction right now that the Yankees as an organization could be in on Machado without Cashman and the baseball department being totally on board.
I think Didi likes being here enough that they'll come to an agreement on a 2 year deal. My guess is 2 years $21M, maybe the yankees get themselves a third year team option at a more expensive price and a moderate buyout.
Cannot believe that they let Gregorios go for nothing.
Unless Manny is in the bag, they have to absolutely sign Didi to something...
Manny is 3 years younger? So if he was signed I could see it. I just hope Hal and Co. don't eff up Cashman.
Tough spot. No reason to take him it to arbitration, because I don't think the fact that hes injured for at least half of the upcoming season gets factored in.
I think there's enough good will on the two sides that he gets more than he should for the upcoming injury year, and gives a little bit back (vs market value) for a second year. Maybe he gets $8M cash for the first year and the second year is a $12-13M team option.
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but it's tough to pay him $12 mil when he's not expected back until the ASB.
Tough spot. No reason to take him it to arbitration, because I don't think the fact that hes injured for at least half of the upcoming season gets factored in.
I think there's enough good will on the two sides that he gets more than he should for the upcoming injury year, and gives a little bit back (vs market value) for a second year. Maybe he gets $8M cash for the first year and the second year is a $12-13M team option.
Axisa wrote about this issue in RAB today.
Thanks, section. I read it.
If you take for granted that Didi likes being a NYY and the org likes him, then a 2 year compromise does seem like the most mutually beneficial path.
Love RAB, but I have been surprised at the extent to which Axisa has really taken the org at their word as far as staying around the luxury tax limit.
I get that doing mock offseasons and the like become a little too "easy" and uninteresting if you just assume that they blow the roof off spending wise, but he really seems to believe that they're going to hold to it.
(Then again, he's a pretty big NYY voice in the social media sphere, so perhaps a certain amount of that is him doing their bidding by keeping up appearances of austerity...)
(Then again, he's a pretty big NYY voice in the social media sphere, so perhaps a certain amount of that is him doing their bidding by keeping up appearances of austerity...)
True, you never know how an owner really feels. I have a feeling that Mike might be right, seeing how Hal has said teams should be able to win with $200 mill (or under) payroll.
I seriously doubt Hal lets Cash get too far above $206 mill. He did let him re-sign Gardy and CC, but they were probably Favs of his anyway. I don't see $12 mill to a recuperating Didi will be a problem, unless, they feel or know Manny is signing.
Hey gives us something to jaw about.
Certainly a possibility, but coupled with the rest of his comments and the fact that he's tried to trade for the guy multiple times I'd be surprised if he suddenly lost interest because Machado failed a postseason personality test.
This seems like a reach...
On another note, just saw BA's Top 10 prospect list: Sheffield, Florial, Loaisiga, Pereira, Siegler, King, Garcia, Contreras, Cabello, Abreu. Definitely not as impressive as before.
All in, even if they pay 1/2 the salary(or more).
I think it will be a West Coast team. I'd be surprised if he doesn't want to play again - actually get into games.
Maybe as already posted, a bad contract for bad contract scenario. He has to realize there is little chance he plays OF for the Yankees anymore.
I have speculated here for a while that Seattle is a real possibility for Ellsbury. They have a bad contract that they can deal in Mike Leake (due $16M and $15M, plus a $5M buyout in 2021) that would match up with the Yanks. They also need a leadoff hitter (Gordon isn't getting it done).
The Yanks could save just over $5M for luxury tax purposes in that trade and have a swing SP/long man to essentially be a 6th SP.
Option B could be to take on King Felix's $28M deal for 2019 (counts for $25M for luxury taxes). Remember that the Yanks owe Ellsbury $49M (just under $22m per for 2 years, plus a $5M buyoutO. That would mean the M's taking on only $14M in cash. The Yanks could offer to pay Ellsbury's $5M buyout in 2021 to make it only a $9M difference. Throw in a B/C level prospect (top 30, but not top 10), and that could work.
In both cases, the Yanks would probably use the new P as a reliever who can step in and start on an as-needed basis.
Neither trade is perfect, but there will have to be a trade of bad deals to move Ellsbury. Remember as well that he also has a FULL no trade clause- and Boras as his agent. That means that the Yanks will have to make a deal to a team Ellsbury wants to go to- because Boras doesn't compromise.
Something like
Cano + $20M (ideally pegged to the last 3 years of the deal)
for Ellsbury and a low level arm or two.
saves Ms 50M+ over 5 years.
big difference, cano and ellsbury were 31...machado and harper are 26...when arod got his first 10 year deal from the rangers it was agood deal it was thr second one when he was 31 that was awful...
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should give everyone pause in signing Machado or Harper. Cano at least was an excellent durable player. But 10 years was way too much. But Ellsbury, by contrast, was one of the worst contracts ever.
big difference, cano and ellsbury were 31...machado and harper are 26...when arod got his first 10 year deal from the rangers it was agood deal it was thr second one when he was 31 that was awful...
Steroid age is basically over. 10 year contracts are just handcuffs to the team the final 3 years. You are right both are 26 and that is a difference, but 10 years...
Even with a year left of arbitration, and that he might miss the first half of 2019, I can't imagine that Didi accepts a 2/20 deal.
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In comment 14178339 section125 said:
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should give everyone pause in signing Machado or Harper. Cano at least was an excellent durable player. But 10 years was way too much. But Ellsbury, by contrast, was one of the worst contracts ever.
big difference, cano and ellsbury were 31...machado and harper are 26...when arod got his first 10 year deal from the rangers it was agood deal it was thr second one when he was 31 that was awful...
Steroid age is basically over. 10 year contracts are just handcuffs to the team the final 3 years. You are right both are 26 and that is a difference, but 10 years...
but you are getting their prime for at minimum 8 years, opposed to those other 10 year contracts where you got 5 maybe...
arods first 10 year deal you got a full 10 year prime..
but you are getting their prime for at minimum 8 years, opposed to those other 10 year contracts where you got 5 maybe...
arods first 10 year deal you got a full 10 year prime..
More like 6 years, maybe 7. Prime doesn't go much past 32.
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In comment 14178350 section125 said:
but you are getting their prime for at minimum 8 years, opposed to those other 10 year contracts where you got 5 maybe...
arods first 10 year deal you got a full 10 year prime..
More like 6 years, maybe 7. Prime doesn't go much past 32.
That's only a partial answer. Prime for Machado and Harper differs from prime years for players like Gardner, Didi and the like. Past prime is also different. Machado and Harper's age 32-36 years will likely not have the same production levels that their age 26-32 years will be. However, their past-prime years will likely be better than most player's prime years.
I would easily give Machado and Harper a 10 year deal. I would not do the rumored 14 year deal that Boras is reportedly seeking for Harper, but 10- no issue. Even if the last 3-4 years are no longer prime production seasons, the production from those years will still be well above average.
Even with a year left of arbitration, and that he might miss the first half of 2019, I can't imagine that Didi accepts a 2/20 deal.
Something to keep in mind for those who appear to be convinced that Didi will play a meaningful number of games in 2019. Corey Seager had TJ surgery in early May this year- and did not return. Even accounting for the hip surgery, the Dodgers remain hopeful that he will be ready for spring training- 9 months after surgery.
Didi has his surgery in later October/early November. Best case scenario is late July/early August for Didi- and that is with no complications or setbacks.
Shohei Otani had TJ for the Angels and will only hit next year as a DH, but will not pitch in 2019. This is different from Didi in that Otani will not need to throw to play. Didi is a SS, a position where arm strength and throwing from multiple angles is paramount. He will need a full recovery- and the Yanks aren't going to DH him.
He will also be eligible for FA at the end of 2019- not sure why people seem to think he is willing to take a below market deal for 2020 just to stay with the Yanks. He will almost assuredly get well in excess of $10M per in FA. He will be fully recovered by the off-season in 2019.
If the Yanks bring him back, 2 years at $20M is not even in the ballpark of what it will take to sign him.
Are there times when Levine Steinbrenner agree? Yes. Accidently.
and when Levine believes a splash means the Network can increase ad rates.
Remember the Steinbrenners earn out on the Yes deal is still dependent on ad revenues.
Just tough to swallow a 10 year deal. If Boras wants 12-14 he can go to Philly.
I'm a Didi fan. But if he wants to hold the Yankees up, then sign Manny and be done with it and move on. I agree he likely doesn't make it to the field until Mid-August and he should not have to sign a below market deal for 2020 as he would be a FA with several likely suitors. Hard to figure this one out. I'm sure he wants 5 or 6 years. But cannot blame Cash for balking because of the chance of a setback. Would he take a split deal? Gets the big money if he has no set backs, but has a reduced deal if the surgery does not work and he is DL'ed after 2020?
Even with a year left of arbitration, and that he might miss the first half of 2019, I can't imagine that Didi accepts a 2/20 deal.
I think I said something similar earlier in the thread, if not I wrote it on Twitter. Bogaerts is the only other regular shortstop who will be an FA next year, to my knowledge. He loves the Yanks, but Didi is on Pace to get paid. Could have a shot at 5/$80, maybe more. He's not likely to take 2/$20.
Machado is a douche - ( New Window )
What amazes me how much people are buying this trope from the sports media purist mafia.
Despite all the hysterics by the sports media baseball purist mafia, real reporters who bother to do the footwork and actually talk to Machado teammates and others around the O's and Dodgers find that they roundly liked the guy and had no problems with him.
Remember that Machado basically lives with these guys about 8 months a year- if he was half of the jerk that the sports media mafia portrayed him to be, don't you think that teammates would throw him under the bus?! Many a teammate had negative things to say about ARod both during and after his career.
I really don't care what he says about hustling. Most of the "gritty" guys the sports media mafia pumps up are just low talent guys who make a production daily about getting dirty and acting like they are maxing out their talent. Most of the time, they never had a hope of making the play that they dive for or slide hard into- but the sports media mafia eats that up as they see themselves in that player.
Give me a guy who can change the game in a single play, but is smart enough not to injure himself or pull something in a vain "look at me" attempt to get attention. People call that a lack of hustle- I say it is a star player smart enough to protect himself and the team's investment in him.
When you criticize Machado, do the mental exercise of putting Judge in place of Machado. Do you want Judge diving into the stands, running into walls or diving into 1st base? Of course you don't- the broken wrist this season demonstrated his immense value to the team. Machado goes the extra step and doesn't even pretend to run hard.
Sanchez did the same thing if you recall earlier this year against Tampa Bay. Do we see anyone using that to call him a bad guy? In fact, if we looked back this season, I guarantee that we could probably find a dozen instances of Sanchez not maxing out. He understood that he needed to protect himself after the initial groin pull. I doubt Sanchez is ever going o be a max effort guy- and has no need to be. The Yanks can't afford to spend months hoping that he doesn't re-aggravate a muscle pull again.
But let's not pretend that Machado is a bad guy because the sports media wants to spend an off-season wringing their hands about ow Machado is ruining the game and is public enemy #1. They need to sell print. The trope is fake- and they know it. But it gets them attention, clicks and sells stories.
After all the decisions they've made over the past couple years in order to be in the luxury tax threshold for 2019, anything less than Machado or Harper will make it feel unsatisfying to both management and the fanbase. And because I prefer Harper to Machado, it makes sense to me that the Yankees would let it be known/said that Harper doesn't really fit a need, that they would sign Gardner to a one-year deal, and let it leak that they have interest in Machado. How else would you play it with Boros if you were the Yankees and wanted Harper?
Whether your own personal preference is Harper, Machado, or neither, it's pretty easy to claim the latest rumors as all part of that master plan.
The Phillies are going to be "all in" on Machado.
Something that hasn't been discussed much is the possibility that the Nats may pounce if they can't sign Harper. Remember that Rendon is a FA at the end of 2019, and the Nats are not getting anywhere in extension discussions.
The Nats could conceivably sign Machado to play 3B, and trade Rendon- who would likely be in very high demand- and would allow the Nats to begin refashioning the roster. The Nats have VERY little committed money beyond 2019- only Scherzer (through 2021) and Strasburg (who is signed through 2022, but has opt outs after 2019 and 2020).
Link - ( New Window )
General manager Brian Cashman said last month that he expected to trade Gray and he noted at last week's GM Meetings that "a lot of teams" were interested in the hurler. The Yanks are weighing the offers for Gray and it sounds like they could pick one soon. Gray posted a 4.90 ERA in 2018 but would be a solid bounce-back candidate in a better environment. The Reds are one club known to be in on Gray, but Martino says there are "approximately 11" teams interested.
I don't see that in the Martino article...
General manager Brian Cashman said last month that he expected to trade Gray and he noted at last week's GM Meetings that "a lot of teams" were interested in the hurler. The Yanks are weighing the offers for Gray and it sounds like they could pick one soon. Gray posted a 4.90 ERA in 2018 but would be a solid bounce-back candidate in a better environment. The Reds are one club known to be in on Gray, but Martino says there are "approximately 11" teams interested.
I don't see that in the Martino article...
He tweeted it afterwards
Link - ( New Window )