New York Yankees third base options in 2018 not named Machado

The idea of Manny Machado in the New York Yankees lineup in 2018 is tempting but it doesn’t seem like it will come to fruition. The Yankees do have quality third base options for next season, however.

Unfortunately, New York Yankees fans need to accept the fact that Manny Machado likely won’t be in pinstripes in 2018. He may very well be a Yankee in 2019 after he reaches free agency but the Baltimore Orioles will not be trading their best player to their division rivals.

Even if Orioles owner Peter Angelos was willing to trade Machado to the Bronx, he would cost the Yankees multiple top pitching prospects and he is just a rental. For as much money as the Yankees will have to spend next offseason, there’s no way to guarantee they could re-sign Machado.

Instead, the Yankees should (and will likely be forced to by Angelos) wait until next offseason to take their chances of signing Machado to a long-term deal.

In the meantime, there are a few quality third base options for the New York Yankees in 2018:

Miguel Andujar

The Yankees’ No. 5 prospect according to MLB.com, Andujar could be the future at the hot corner.

Andujar can hit and proved his bat is MLB-ready going 3-4 with four RBI in his big league debut last season. He was sent back down to Triple-A to work on his defense, which is still a bit of a work in progress.

Between Double-A and Triple-A last season, Andujar hit .315 with 36 doubles, 16 home runs, and 82 RBI.

Before giving Manny Machado $400 million next offseason, the Yankees should see if Miguel Andujar has the potential to be their future third baseman.

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Ronald Torreyes/Tyler Wade

If Andujar’s defense is not ready for the big leagues, he could start the season getting more reps in Triple-A and the Yankees could use either Torreyes or Wade at the hot corner until he’s ready.

Torreyes did a great job filling in for Didi Gregorius at shortstop and for Starlin Castro at second base in 2017. “Toe” hit .292 in 315 at-bats last year and drove in 36 runs.

Wade hit just .155 in limited action (58 ABs) but the Yankees believe he’s much better than what he showed in his first taste of the majors. Last year in Triple-A, Wade hit .310 with 33 extra-base hits and 26 stolen bases.

Top prospect Gleyber Torres won’t be on this list of third base options because he’s more comfortable at second base so he’ll likely take Castro’s place as soon as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

Todd Frazier

According to Bronx Pinstripes, the Yankees are close to a deal that would bring back Frazier.

A Jersey boy, Frazier quickly became a fan favorite with his “Thumbs Down” movement and passion for the game of baseball. He also was a key member of the Yankee clubhouse, helping lead a young team through the playoffs.

While on the field, Frazier played solid defense at the hot corner and provided decent power at the plate. Overall, Frazier hit .222 as a Yankee with 11 home runs and 32 RBI.

Frazier reportedly wants a multi-year deal but could be willing to take a “hometown discount” to stay in New York on a one-year deal.

The Yankees could be all-in on Manny Machado next offseason so they do not want to tie up third base by giving Frazier a long-term contract.

Mike Moustakas

ESPN’s Buster Olney believes that if Moustakas’s market doesn’t pick up, he could sign a one-year deal somewhere and test free agency again next offseason. He also thinks that Moustakas would be a perfect fit in the Bronx.

“Moose” is coming off of a season where he hit .272 with 38 home runs and 85 RBI. His left-handed swing would provide even more damage in Yankee Stadium and add yet another 40+ home run threat to New York’s lineup.

If Moustakas is willing to sign a one-year deal, he could help the Yankees pursue a World Series in 2018 while leaving the door open for the Yanks to pursue Manny Machado in free agency in 2019.

Next: New York Yankees: Please don’t trade Chance Adams

With both internal and external third base options, the New York Yankees do not need to trade for Manny Machado this offseason. They will still be able to deploy a quality player at the hot corner in 2018, compete for a World Series, and can look to sign Machado next offseason.

Who do you want to see play third base for the New York Yankees in 2018? Someone on this list? Someone we missed? Let us know in the comments!