The Yankees have already making the biggest splash of the offseason so far — trading for Mariners pitcher James Paxton — but they’re far from done heading into the Winter Meetings.
New York’s lineup is already comprised of players with plenty of pop in their bats — all of which are capable of going yard at any moment. But the team did struggle a bit with consistency, as well as strikeouts, so they’re still looking for one more player of superstar caliber to help round out the lineup.
As such, they’ve been linked to both Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, even though neither really has the larger-than-life personality and team-first attitude we tend to associate with the Yankees.
But it appears that the team is now officially out of the Harper sweepstakes, which general manager Brian Cashman indicated at the first day of Winter Meetings, which began Monday in Las Vegas
Asked about Bryce Harper, Brian Cashman rattled off the names of his six outfielders and said there’s no spot. Reiterated that playing Harper at first base isn’t an option for the Yankees.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 10, 2018
Cashman pretty much ruled out Harper: “The Harper stuff, I’m surprised you are still asking.” #Yankees
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 10, 2018
Machado, however, is another story.
What we learned from Day 1 of the #Yankees #WinterMeetings: they are in on Manny Machado (and others), and out on Bryce Harper.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) December 10, 2018
Yankees are pursuing Machado but they have other infield options — Marwin Gonzalez, Josh Harrison and possibly even Scooter Gennett to name 3
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2018
This backs up a previous report about the Yankees getting set to meet with Machado in Vegas, but being unwilling to pay $300 million for his services.
Yankees like Manny Machado and will meet with Machado but source says they will not pay $300M for Machado. Phillies, Chisox and mystery teams(?) seen as main competitors.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2018
This is interesting, as it looks like the Yankees are very much interested in Machado, but they’re not looking to pay him the big bucks. So they’re essentially saying that if he wants to win, he can come to the Bronx, but he’ll have to lower his asking price a bit. We’ll soon see where his head is at, when he makes his decision.
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