Is Manny Machado still an option for Yankees after Troy Tulowitzki signing?
NEW YORK – As the waiting game for Manny Machado continues, the Yankees have gone all-in for Troy Tulowitzki.
At least for now.
“We’re going into this with a commitment level to try Troy Tulowitzki at shortstop,’’ Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said on Friday, as the Yankees officially announced signing the veteran to a one-year deal.
Cashman wouldn’t say if the Tulowitzki agreement takes the Yankees out of play for a big-ticket item, and Machado and fellow 26-year-old free agent Bryce Harper are the most prominent names on the free agent market.
Cashman would not characterize his negotiations for Machado, but acknowledged having spoken with agent Dan Lozano since their initial in-person meeting. Cashman provided a heads up to Lozano of the Tulowitzki agreement before its announcement.
Cashman further offered that he currently sees a 2019 Yankees club with Luke Voit at first base (unless Greg Bird can win back the job in spring training), Gleyber Torres at second, Tulowitzki at shortstop, Miguel Andujar at third base, Brett Gardner in left field, Aaron Hicks in center, Aaron Judge in right, Giancarlo Stanton at designated hitter and Gary Sanchez behind the plate.
The Yankees, along with the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox, met with Machado before the holidays, but the White Sox – according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale – are the only club known to have made a specific offer.
After Tulowitzki’s initial workout at Long Beach State for about a dozen interested clubs, the Yankees arranged a follow-up workout and liked what they saw.
Based on the scouting reports and video, “he really looked athletic, he’s got that bounce back in his step,’’ Cashman said.
With shortstop Didi Gregorius (Tommy John surgery) sidelined until at least June, “we obviously had a need,’’ Cashman said, adding that Tulowitzki is “a risk,’’ having missed all last season due to bone spurs on both heels.
Cashman perceived that Tulowitzki “has a chip on his shoulder “ in wanting to prove he’s past his injuries and can be a productive major leaguer.
But having been a premier hitter with power, and a premier defender in his prime, Tulowitzki offers “a lot of upside here in terms of what we’re able to evaluate.’’
Projected Yankees lineup
As the team currently stands, here is what the lineup could look like with the addition of Tulowitzki:
- Hicks, CF
- Judge, RF
- Stanton, DH
- Sanchez, C
- Andujar, 3B
- Voit, 1B
- Tulowitzki, SS
- Torres, 2B
- Gardner, LF