New York Yankees: With Manny Machado decision looming, Yanks can wait on 2020 free agent class

The New York Yankees might be waiting on a decision from Manny  Machado, but they shouldn’t wait forever and the show must go on. In 2020, the Yanks might want to have money left anyway.

The New York Yankees might be hearing some bad news soon in regards to their pursuit of Manny Machado, but that does not mean anyone should be angry or upset.

First, off to save the grief that I could get in this comment section, and to protect my credibility as someone who sort of knows what they are talking about, let me say this.

Manny Machado is THAT good. He is an outstanding baseball player, is still young, still has time to develop an even better overall game, and would be an asset to the Yankees.

I am not here to write some bashful narrative about how the Yankees are better off without Manny, now or later.

However, what I am saying, is that if the Yankees do not land their guy, and the tweet above implies they might not, if they do not land Manny Machado, the world should not end and the Yankees will recover just fine.

To begin, the Yankees won 100 ball games last season without Manny. That was in spite of the injury bug and in spite of a manager who constantly shot himself in the foot.

The only thing that stopped the Yankees from their first AL East title since 2012 was the historically great Red Sox.

There is not much more the Yankees could have possibly done to win that division. No need to be sour. It was a great year, they lost to a better team. That is just a fact.

Also, while Machado is a hot commodity, and would technically be an upgrade to what the Yankees have now, Machado is not a need on this team.

Would he be a great asset, yes. Would he be a staple of the franchise if he were to arrive, surely.

However, the Yankees do not exactly have Average Joe playing third right now. They have viable infield options still.

Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres are both on pace to be studs in this league. The Yankees always have the option to put Luke Voit at third too.

Let’s not forget, Didi Gregorius will be out for a while, but not forever. If he can comeback and be what we have seen, that wouldn’t be the worst thing.

As for 2019, as for the now, if the Yanks don’t get Manny, they still have Troy Tulowitzki to play in his spot. He was brought in as insurance depth anyway and it shouldn’t make a difference anyway.

Tulowitzki is not the future, but again, not anyone to put a bag over your face about.

So, the Yankees might not get Machado. That stinks, that is a not ideal.

However, they still have one of the best rosters in baseball, they still don’t have a ridiculous cap hit, and they will still be a top five team to beat.

So, if they don’t get Machado, they will save their money. Money that can be spent elsewhere.

The Yankees’ recently tried a build the farm, don’t spend a lot now so they can spend in the future approach.

It worked earlier than expected.

The Yankees’ life goes on beyond the now. They will still be great. But, in 2020, as long as all goes to plan, they can use money elsewhere.

Some names that are free agents in 2020 are as follows:

• Justin Verlander
• Madison Bumgarner
• Chris Sale
• Paul Goldschmidt
• Justin Bour
• Xander Bogaerts
• Khris Davis
• Yasiel Puig
• Nolan Arenado

That list, while some are not like the others, is ideal.

Nolan Arenado is a generational type talent like Manny Machado. If the Yankees can or need to, wait and go after him.

Some other names might be perfect to throw a lot of money at for a season if the Yanks still need someone to get over the hump in a short window.

For fun, let’s look at the list of free agents in 2021:

• Mike Trout

End of list.

That is good enough for me.

The Yankees could wait for him too if that opportunity presents itself.

The point is that the Yankees have worked really hard to have most of their best players still be really cheap. That is not going to change for a few seasons.

The Yankees are really only committed to Giancarlo Stanton long-term. The Jacoby Ellsbury contract is not that bad anymore. Manny Machado would be nice, but why go after him when there will be other options.

The Yankees are not cheap. They have an overwhelming amount of money. After all, they are the New York Yankees.

If they are not sure that Manny Machado is worth what might end up being the biggest contract ever, then so be it.

Manny would be great. He is the best free agent this season.

I know it is aggravating for Yankees fans who have been so close the last two years and on the cusp of a 10 year title drought.

But, be patient. Let it be. Manny Machado is not just anybody, but the Yankees will still be fine. They will find their free agent to spend big-money if it’s not him.