And Free Agents Ain’t Free
Right now the Yankees need a long-term solution at third base, the Brandon Drury experiment notwithstanding. Andujar is by far the best candidate in the minors. This from MLB’s Prospect Scouting report on Miguel, currently ranked 65th:
"Despite his offensive prowess, Andujar’s most impressive tool is his cannon arm. He has slightly below-average speed, but more than enough range for third base…"
While other young Yankees can play the position, they and the team are probably better served if they don’t. That likely means that either Andujar will win the bag or the Yankees will have to get a free agent replacement.
Fortunately, even that back-up plan looks good for the Yanks. Next year will see 32-year old and 2015 AL MVP Josh Donaldson available for a four-year deal. But no team wants to pay for a position they can get for a rookie salary.
Especially not when the shortstop position will get a lot more expensive at the very same time.
Follow the Money
Sir Didi is going to make a still-team friendly $8.25 million this season, but will likely get an increase for 2019, his final year of arbitration. Comparable shortstop Jean Segura of the Mariners, for instance, is slated to earn $14.75 million next season.
While Gregorius will not make that much, he will be due a well-earned raise. And the next year after he becomes an unrestricted free agent; that will mean a much bigger pay increase. Retaining him would mean paying for two free agents in the infield, instead of spending some of that money on pitching.
That’s not the only thing working against Gregorius in this posited future. Another goal of any club hoping to prolong winning is to upgrade whenever possible, not pay the same player more for the same production.
Here once again fortune seems to be favoring the Yankees.