New York Yankees have difficult decision with Didi Gregorius
By Ben Fadden
New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius is playing well in the postseason, which creates a dilemma for Brian Cashman: to sign him or let him go.
It was a 3-0 game in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. The Minnesota Twins were still in striking distance. Seconds later, Didi Gregorius gave the New York Yankees a seven run lead with a grand slam off to the second deck in right field.
This is one of the examples of why Brian Cashman will have a very hard decision to make in the offseason once the postseason has concluded.
Too sign Didi or to let him walk.
Gregorius has replaced Derek Jeter rather swiftly, something that was deemed impossible when “The Captain” retired.
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In five seasons with the Yankees, Gregorius has a .313 on-base percentage with a .759 OPS.
Jeter’s career Yankees OPS was only 58 points higher than Gregorius’ current Yankees OPS, which certainly will gain Yankee’s fans respect if they didn’t already have it.
While Gregorius has performed well in New York, there will be suitors for him that would be willing to pay him a lot of money to play shortstop for them.
It seems like the Gregorius deal would mirror that of 27-year-old Xander Boegarts in Boston–six years, $120 million.
The Yankees won’t feel inclined to pay Gregorius that money because they have plenty of options at their disposal.
D.J. Lemahieu, who has been the team’s MVP, can play third, second, and first base to cover for Gleyber Torres, who would most likely be the team’s starting shortstop.
Remember, Miguel Andujar will return next year to compete for the starting third base job after Gio Urshela took the league by storm this season.
Urshela can also play second base if Aaron Boone likes LeMahieu at first base better.
dark. Next. Yankees need to outslug Twins to advance
Even without Gregorius, the New York Yankees would be just fine, but a fan-favorite star shortstop like Didi wouldn’t hurt either.