New York Yankees: Giancarlo Stanton’s effect on the 2019 free agent class
By Sean Dyer
Manny Machado
Fans have been fitting Bryce Harper for pinstripes for years but Manny Machado has always made more sense as a 2019 free agent target.
The New York Yankees have plenty of outfield depth, but not a ton at the hot corner. After trading Chase Headley back to the San Diego Padres, Machado is a logical successor.
One player who could’ve gotten in Machado’s way was Gleyber Torres, the No. 2 prospect in all of baseball according to MLB.com.
Up until this week, Torres was believed to be the Yankees third baseman of the future. However, now that Starlin Castro has been sent to Miami, Torres could be the Yankees second baseman of the future.
In fact, Torres could be the Yankees second baseman this season, as soon as he fully recovers from Tommy John surgery, opening a spot at the hot corner for Machado.
Despite taking on most of Stanton’s massive contract, the New York Yankees still plan on getting under the $197 million luxury tax threshold this offseason. If they do so, they’ll be ready to spend big again on the 2019 class. Adding Machado at third base could give the Yankees the greatest lineup in recent memory.
With Gleyber likely moving to second base, the only thing that could get in the way of the Yankees signing Machado would be if the Orioles trade him this offseason to a team that locks him up long-term before he can hit the 2019 free agent market.
By signing Giancarlo Stanton, the New York Yankees’ chances of signing Manny Machado in 2019 increased a significant amount.