Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius underwent an MRI yesterday that revealed a ligament tear in his right elbow, manager Aaron Boone revealed to reporters today (all Twitter links via The Athletic’s Marc Carig). He’ll require Tommy John surgery to repair the injury, and an exact timeline on his return is presently uncertain, though rehab for position players is shorter than it is for pitchers. Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News writes that Boone expressed a belief that Gregorius could return in time “to play the bulk of the season with us,” and she further tweets that GM Brian Cashman suggested a “summer” return for Gregorius is possible.
The injury is fairly jarring, as Gregorius wasn’t known to have previous elbow pain. However, Boone explained to reporters that Gregorius felt something in his elbow at Fenway Park when making a relay throw during the American League Division Series. Despite the obvious discomfort that followed, Gregorius gutted out the remainder of the series before undergoing an MRI after the conclusion of the Yankees’ season.
The uncertainty surrounding Gregorius will add a major wrinkle to the Yankees’ offseason. The team has already been linked to free agent Manny Machado dating back to last offseason, and the fact that Gregorius isn’t likely to be ready to open the season will only further fuel that connection. Adding a shortstop won’t be an imperative for the Yankees, who do have substantial depth with Gleyber Torres, Ronald Torreyes and Tyler Wade all on the roster. Nonetheless, they’ll surely at least explore their options — likely including everything from smaller-scale depth additions to an earnest pursuit of Machado, one of the highest-profile free agents in recent history.
The very fact that Boone has suggested Gregorius will return to the Yankees is of some note. He’s up for a relatively hefty arbitration raise after hitting .268/.335/.494 with a career-high 27 home runs for the Yanks this season; MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects Gregorius to earn $12.4MM in 2019 — a sizable step up from this past season’s $8.25MM salary. Gregorius would be eligible for free agency upon completion of the 2019 season.
If the timeline for his return is lengthy enough, however, the Yankees would likely be forced to consider a non-tender of Gregorius. The final determination on his timetable, of course, won’t be made until after he undergoes surgery, but a salary north of $12MM would be a substantial price to pay for half a season, and Torres’ natural position is shortstop. Utilizing Torres at short in 2019 would open up an even wider slate of possibilities, as the second base market has ample supply that could vastly outstrip the demand at the position.
Man I guess the whole dead at 27 is a a actual thing
The Grim Reaper never lets you get to arbitration a third time.
They have to non-tender him right? $12mm just isn’t worth half a season of major league rehab
Why can’t the sides agree on a one year deal that allows him to come back and showcase himself the last two months, assuming an August return?
Agree, maybe even sign a two year contract. That said I would be fine letting him go and playing Torres at SS.
Motherf*****!!!!!!!!!
Y WE ARE GETTING MANNY
Walls,
My sentiments exactly!!
Ya realize TJ for pos players requires less time— ?
Boone said “real chance he plays the bulk of [2019] season with us.”
Cashman did not want to specify a timetable but suggested some time in the summer:
“Best to stay general,” Cashman said. “I don’t want to (specifically) say June, July, August.”
I’m thinking May. link to nypost.com
Yeah, like I said below, I’m skeptical of all of that. Shortstop requires a lot of arm strength, especially for a guy who ventures into the hole as well as he does. Either way, it’s all bad news right now.
You might have a point there. Best aspect of Didi’s defense, is his arm strength; always right on the money.
If there’s a way to measure SS arm strength, might be top-5, dare I say, feels #1. (Know Simmons’ is best defender) Didi’s cannon arm, separates him from pack. Fun to watch on Def
Simmons fires 98 mph on the money. I’m a Yankees fan; Simmons has the best defensive arm in baseball.
He is terrific to watch on defense, and such an integral part of this Yankee team.
I know Simmons blows every other SS, out of the water, defensively, but if there’s one area thought Didi had a chance in, was cannon arm strength throws. Figured Simmons beats him every other area defensively. 98! Wow crazy, anyone got an accurate mph on Didi’s?
Separates hin fro. the pack? Solid to very good player but overall not the “leader of the pack”.
Noooooooo
I did not see this coming. And “summer” via Cashman seems highly unlikely. Could be out for the year. Great player.
Actually it is very likely since the recovery time for position players is 6-8 months
Which is why shohei should be ready to hit by the beginning of May
Yeah, I’m not an expert on this but I’m skeptical. Throwing from the hole—as he does so well—will require a lot from the arm. Guess we shall see.
Most throws by infielders come from a much lower arm slot. Much more stress on ligaments comes from throwing over top. The human body is not designed to throw that way.
I should think it depends on the position: It’s his throwing arm and arm strength is important part of his defensive game (and integral to playing SS). He could be out for longer than other pos players.
Hk yes, those are my thoughts as well.
If they really thought he only had torn cartilage, they are a joke. If they lied about the injury, they should be punished. Either way, the yankee organization is a disgrace.
Please don’t comment again
Of course the yankee guys says it
That’s right Yankeepride. The Yankees misjudged the return of Aaron Judge from injury so everything they have ever said or will say is a lie. Apparantly.
You have absolutely no clue what you are talking about
Rusty, I trust you’re just trolling, but in the event you’re not, perhaps you can back up your last statement.
Corey Seager sends his condolences
Nooooooo
Manny?
This does open the door to a Machado signing though…he’d get to play his preferred position and maybe Gregorius has to DH anyway when he returns.
Agree that playing shortstop by mid summer will be tough. Tough to say now whether the Yankees would activate him to DH only, but with their depth it would be unlikely.
We all knew something’s wrong w Didi after the crazing 1st half. Now they telling us what’s wrong.
His only bad month was May. His 2nd half was just fine. I dont think he has been needing TJ for an entire half of the season. Probably that slide at home or something recent before the postseason.
SIGN MANNYUUUUU
Machado Corbin Harper in NY 2019
How about Kershaw and Kimbrel? Hell just tell everyone if they want a contract just fill out the blank check right?
Real,
Sounds awesome, can you imagine, lol, but we need another quality starter, maybe Happ. I hope
Either sign Manny or resign Walker and move Torres to short
Yes. I agree, and b4 we knew about DiDi, I wanted them to resign Walker anyway.
A very valuable infield piece when someone is hurt. but he has to play more often to show he is clutch. Just Saying
I like this idea. Walker played pretty well when playing regularly and they need lefty bats.
There is zero need for Manny. You play Torres at SS, maybe keep Walker for 1 more year or sign Adeiny on a 1 year deal. Did in will be back in 2019. No need to sign a replacement at $300 mil.
The defense takes a big hit, but it also would with Machado anyways
Doesn’t take a hit if you replace Andujar at 3B w/ Machado when Gregorius come back.
Playing 3B might not be his first choice, but Yankees have the money to sway him.
So you would put Andújar on the bench?
Trade him for pitching
Bet STL would be semi-interested to offer something for Andujar.
How about Carlos Martinez and Jedd Gyorko vs Andujar and Sonny Gray. Then the Yankees sign Machado and the Cards sign Harper. What a nice 2019 world serie in perspective…
Its gonna take a lot more then Andujar and Gray to get Cmart.
OK the last thing the Yankees need is Martinez, and Harper isn’t gonna sign with the Cardinals.
Torres should be a better than average SS and Walker can play 2b decently too. Not a huge drop off.
Torres isn’t a good defensive SS
knickscavsfan gets it; echo the same-exact sentiments!
As long as Cashman claims Verlanger on waivers and trades for G. Cole. Oh, my bad too late for those moves.
Andujar and Torres on together on the left side of the infield….yikes that’s a scary thought
No problem ,with Gray pitching there won’t be any routine ground balls.
Knicks – EXACTLY. Your last line drives the point home.
Sonny Gray for Marcus semien, which team says no?
Oakland says no.
Oakland doesn’t even get to answer before they laugh and hang up
I’m probably one of the few Yankee fans that does NOT want them to sign Machado. I hope they go another route.
To make matters worse (for Didi fans) he’s a free agent after next year. So instead of extending Didi this off season the Yankees might just sign Machado and let Didi walk next year. That would be terrible considering how much Gregorius has meant to this team.
I really can’t see the Yanks signing Manny. He’s not needed. I think Harper (LF) and Corbin have to be their main targets. It address two glaring needs.
Left field isn’t a “glaring need”.
Who’s gonna start there as of now?
Of course it is. We had Gardner and McCutchen there last year and with DIdi gone then the only full-time LH is the switch hitting Hicks. LF is the only position, well other than SS now, where there’s an opening we can use to stick a LH bat in the lineup on a regular non-platoon basis. I’m not saying it’s TOP priority but it’s one we can make some moves. Would much rather see them sign Harper than Manny, and it’s not a knock on Manny just that we have a regular 3b in Andujar and I’d like to see them stick with him for 2019.
I’m still optimistic about Frazier. I can also see the Yankees declining Gardner’s option and signing him to a two year deal at a lower rate to back up left and center.
First Torres, now Didi. Yanks’ INF cursed? Watch 4 Andujar
Did the curse also force them to lose to Boston in 4?
No, not trading for G Cole did.
If the Yankees do sign Machado which I’m sure they will, how ironic is it that he was traded for and possibly signed due to other teams shortstops needing tommy john?
Could be a blessing in disguise. Take advantage of this and sign him to a below-market extension. He loves NYY, and NYY loves him. Not giving up.
He is one year from FA, there will not be a below market extension.
No, NY loves winning so whoever gives them that will be fine.
With the Yankees awash with money and Manny a free agent, of course they’re going to sign him. That was a done deal before Didi got hurt. Harper?? Nah! Yanks don’t need another outfielder. One or two big name pitchers and they’re good to go.
Funny. They actually DO need Harper more than they do Manny. Yanks were a little light from the left side already and there is a need to improve our LF options. Considering that Gardner (may no longer be a starter), Didi (will miss a hunk of 2019), Bird (pretty much lost his job to the righty Voit) and Hicks were our main source of lefty hitting signing Harper to play LF makes a ton of sense. I’m sure Walker would love to comeback as the starter at 2b next year and we can slide Torres to SS. OR keep Torres at 2B and try to bring back Adeiny at SS. The lineup can sustain his weak bat batting 9th.
They should move Torres over to short and call the Royals about Merrifield.
Much cheaper then Machado and they can spend there money on starting pitching, like Corbin.
You got something there.
Machado lovers are going to use this as an excuse, to justify Yankees signing Machado. TJ timetable for pos. players is less than pitchers’. Didi likely plays 2019, and plays a better SS, than Manny ever will. They wont blow ~200M on Manny
200 million is getting Many cheap. Whoever gets him will have to pay close to a number that starts with 3
Trade Andujar for DeGrom or Syndegaard. Have Wade and Torreyes play second and put Torres at short stop until Gregorius returns. They don’t need Machado. They need pitching
Andujar and what else for either of those pitchers raytown?
How about Carlos Martinez and Luke Weaver from the Cardinals for Andujar and their pick of top prospects?
Didn’t the Mets want Torres for either one?
Wade can’t hit…..nothing more than a Utility guy…a throw in to balance out a trade.
The Mets wanted a whole lot more than just Andujar to make that trade, although I certainly think its worth exploring for sure.
If the Yanks entertain the idea of dealing Andujar it means they should be all in for Machado.
Yanks are not Getting Degrom or Syndergaard for Andujar alone lol. I would trade Wheeler for Andujar :)
I think we should all agree to rent out a banquet room for an evening and be forced to wear name tags with our MLBTR screen names. All invited…trolls included.
Be a pretty interesting evening.
“The team has already been linked to free agent Manny Machado dating back to last offseason”
Funny how every article that mentions an available player via trade or free agency always states that the Yanks are linked to that player……amazing…..
Money talks
Yeh, just like the same links every available player to the Red Sox, Dodgers, Phillies, and Houston.
Don’t single out just the Yankees….read a little and see if I’m right?
Expecting Didi to return from TJS at the end of next season and play at a similar level isn’t realistic. IMO, the NYY FO needs to operate on the expectation that 2019 is a lost year for Didi. If they get him back In a productive role for a few months, it’s gravy. Other than Machado, the SS market likely will not be that active. Target Jose Iglesias and lock down the spot defensively.
DiDi’s bat and offensive importance in the Yankee lineup negates any move like Iglesias or any defense first shortstop.
I agree that you can’t count on anything for 2019 from the guy which will of course be countlessly debated here and on other sites.
Machado is now squarely in the Yankees radar, much to the chagrin of the Phillies….Dodgers will have to lock up Kershaw first as he is sure to opt out, making a signing like Machado a secondary move for them and probably one too late.
^THIS^
This what? Machado’s on the radar when the Yankees figure out DiDi is out for most of the season. At this point he is not. Until then, keep dreaming. More has to be done to have Machado in pinstripes.
Must’ve been from hoistig that MVP trophy in May.
Yankees are not signing Manny Machado. More likely going after flex position guys like Asdrubal Cabrera or Marwin Gonzalez or a Jed Lowrie. Wouldn’t the Yankees want to make their big money splash on pitching?
They have the money to do it all.
Big money splash on pitching…..like who? Kershaw most likely will opt out and re-sign with the Dodgers. Who else would you consider a #1 whose worth the money….we have enough 2,3’s and 4-5’s…..need a bonafide #1 and they are scarce.
We don’t need bums like Cabrera whose best days are well behind him……Gonzalez probably resigns with Houston and one of those tweeners…not worth a bidding war….and do you really want Jed Lowrie playing shortstop for the NY Yankees??????
Big teams make big splashes…..9 years since the last World Series and little Steinbrenner knows it….now that they’ve re-set the tax, they are all in on going for it next year on all cylinders!
Minus a lot of salary coming off the books this year makes the room.
Whether he can handle NY is a question but Patrick Corbin is likely to be their #1 target. They might also kick the tires on Hamels on a short-term deal too.
Yes. Sign Machado and then DiDi returns in May. You do not have a plan to deal with Andujar and Torres. Congrats, you’ve got excellent production out of 3 positions with 4 guys.
More likely Voit takes a downturn. More likely an OF is needed. You want to make a big splash? Harper is your guy. Go get him and he can play alongside Stanton and Judge. Who plays CF? Doesn’t matter, you made your big splash because your team is BIG. Well done.
You need a band-aid solution for the first two months of the year. That is why I mentioned the “bums”. Neil Walker’s not good enough for you and you need someone that can play passable SS. Walker would fit right in with the guys I mentioned. Guess what? If Cashman kept Walker all this time, means he’s prone to gravitate toward the “bums” I mentioned. Following yet?
You still have a problem on the mound. That’s where you lost against Boston. Better pitching has your BIG team winning in 4 instead of losing in 4.
Machado solves nothing for the New York Yankees. You’d need to deal Andujar or Torres for a big arm for Machado to fit in the Yankee plans, and that ain’t happening right now.
Those cylinders don’t look stable.
….should have never gotten rid of Refsnyder……
Always liked him as a player. Not a superstar, but gets better every year.
Yankees already have an explosive offense. Just have to move Torres to Ss and when Didi comes back and his arm isn’t up to par just keep him at 2B for a while until it is. Yankees can sign at least 1-2 elite or quality starters/relievers to go with that lineup. The only way I see Machado coming to the Yankees is if he signs at a discount. The Yankees have all the leverage because they really don’t need Machado. But I could see Machado giving in a little if he really wants to play for the Yankees.
Yes, its only money as Boston has proved and the Yankees certainly have a lot of it….enough to sign Machado and improve he pitching staff too.
If Torres moves over, who plays second……I don’t think you thought that out as DiDi isn’t a lock to be able to do anything in 2019….can’t give up that kind of offense that DiDi generated without replacing it…..Machado squarely on the Yankees radar as shortstop for 2019 at least.
As for 2B you just plug in Torreyes until Didi comes back and/or resign Walker at a bargain price. Yankees have options at 2B.
Walker, while playing better ball in the second half batted .219
The Yankees, looking at 9 years since the last World Series won’t use a utility guy that may well bat .219 in their order.
Got to have a better solution than that.
Pitching is still the Yanks first priority, Cashman gets Corbin and Ryu and signs 2 relief pitchers, Robertson/Britton/Herrera/Miller. Right now, Harper, Murphy, and Machado are all good fits for the Yanks.
I like your thinking!
Let me put it in simple text, MACHADO IS NOT SIGNING WITH THE YANKEES!!
And how do you know this with such surety….family friend, long lost brother…etc?
He”ll sign with whoever offers him the most money and allows him to max his personal brand….do you really think thats in Philly?
Pretty great article on Fangraphs today detailing how much money the yanks have to spend this offseason. They can easily afford one of the big two FAs and a solid starter like Corbin and probably have money left over.
1.Ramirez 2B
2.Judge LF
3.Arenado 3B
4.Stanton DH
5.Harper RF
6.Andujar 1B
7.Hicks CF
8.Sanchez C
9.Torres SS
might be the perfect time to sign Machado. Also it might not be the best move , given that Ramirez is only 2 yrs away from FA and Arensdo is due to be a FA this off season. I could imagine singing Harper, then Arenado next yr, then Rsmirez the following. possible 2021 Yanks line up. I would love to see that happen……Also
Kershaw
Severino
as the starting duo.
This is just comic book stuff.
Dude….you just set the image of Yankee fans back about 10 years. Smh….
Is he a Yankee fan though?
Hicks in CF? You have Trout on the bench?
Big loss. Good thing their line up is stacked. Wouldn’t be shocked if they go all in for machado for sure now. This isn’t a big motivation, simply that push that might put them over the edge
Shades of Aaron Boone’s injury prompting NYY to acquire Alex Rodriguez. Few places other than NY where such an injury would so increase a team’s chance of acquiring Manny Machado-level talent (and expense).
Really?? That wasn’t a success. It resulted in 2.5 Billion $$$ wasted on teams that won only one WS and have not been back since.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they non-tender him assuming they can fill the hole. They aren’t going to hand out a massive contract to Machado after taking on Stanton’s contract. I think they would look to a trade to fill the hole.
They could non-tender Didi and move Torres over to shortstop. That creates a hole a second base but they could fill that any number of ways. I suggest a Sonny Gray for Dee Gordon swap. Gordon’s numbers were down but he is still solid with the glove. The Mariners free up some space and get a good rebound candidate in Gray for low money.
I think this could work to the Yanks benefit, because he is far more likely to sign long term this winter.
So forget Machado, and just give Didi an extension. Even on the high end (a seven year, $130M deal), he’d cost less than half as much as Machado, and there’s no significant difference in quality.
In the last two years:
– Machado put up 9.1 WAR in 318 games
– Didi, 7.9 WAR in 270 games
It’s not a “defensive metrics” thing, either. oWAR is 9.4 vs. 8.0 (again, Machado in significantly more games). Also, while it’s true that this is gonna be Didi’s third DL stint in three years, Machado has had serious injuries too, in the past.
So there’s absolutely no advantage to replacing Didi with Machado. Don’t do it, Yankees.
Wait what? A seven year, $130M deal? That’s way high, man..Way high. Others were saying Segura type of contract something around 5-$70M. That would be possibly the worst business move in the history of sports to sign a $130M deal with a player going into a fairly significant surgery. Any surgery is too much when talking those dollars.
I would like to know if there is a precedent for a “position” player as talented as Didi going into his contract/walk year, following one of his best seasons to have TJ surgery. I can’t think of one example. From the business side of things, it would be prudent for the Yanks to non-tender him. Almost $12.5-13M is quite a chunk of change for a player that may only give you two months of playing time, which is best case scenario and then no guarantee going forward.
Pretty much two options for the Yanks and Didi as I see it. Non-tender him or the Yanks give him a pillow/rehab contract of something like 3 years and $25M. It was already put out there by others the Yanks should explore an extension and they could still do that, just have to change all the parameters.
Lol. Three years, $25M, for one of the premier shortstops in the game? At age 27? Because of a surgery that’s pretty much automatic, and has a recovery time of six months in position players?
It’s gonna take $100M+. Only question is, how much does that + stand for.
We obviously have very different ways of a running a business. I run three, so…
And if he really would command north of $100M right this moment. I pass and non-tender him.
I run seventy five businesses. I win the debate.
That’s a lot of street walkers there…
A trade built around Sonny Gray and Dansby Swanson (with other pieces, potentially)? Move Camargo back to SS, Riley to 3B.
If you had infinity money to spend (which, give or take a couple million, the Yankees do this winter), what would you prefer for your middle infield:
1. Swanson/Torres
2. Torres/Daniel Murphy (with Murphy moving to first base when Didi is back).
Just a reminder of Murphy’s line over the last three years: .326/.375/.542. That first one is the batting average.
Throw in Greg bird and a couple of more prospects and the braves will consider it. Will not take elsbursy contract.
With Gregorios out, there go the 2018 yankee playoffs chances.
I do agree that there’s absolutely no chance the Yankees will play in the playoffs in 2018.
This just makes the Hotstove that more interesting.
I love these Yankee fans who think their team will just sign everybody regardless of cost. It is new day in mlb now that the luxury tax has real consequences and George no longer owns the teams. The Yankees will always be able to spend a lot of money, certainly more than most teams but the blank check days are over. They needs at least 2 starters and those are not cheap. Stanton gets $30 million for the next 6 years, Ellsbury has 2 years left at $22 million each , Judge and Sanchez start getting paid after next season and Sevirino the year after that. Hal is not his father, he isn’t going to drop 30-50 million a year on luxury tax payments.
I think Stanton is 9 more years, no?
“now that the luxury tax has real consequences” it’s always had real consequences. What would you know about Hal, and what he plans to do? I love it when fans of other teams criticize Yankee fans on anything, because it usually comes from envy. Who’s your team?
Sonny Gray for Addison Russell. Both need a change of scenery.
I think the Yanks would do that in a heartbeat.
I could see them signing Machado and Murphy. Two bats that hit over .290 instead of feast or famine. Murphy can play 1b, 2b, 3b which makes his versatility very valuable since 1b is unknown, Torres might move to SS, and Andujar is questionable at 3b. Defensively that is.
Yanks still need at least two starters, if they commit $25 – 30 million a year to Machado maybe they try some cheaper alternatives at starter. Corbin , Murphy and Machado would push the payroll dangerous close to the luxury tax threshold and Tanaka and Ellsbury don’t drop off till after 2020
*vague comment supporting Yankees*
*give me likes*
Ha, but really I’m ticked. No way the Yankees don’t get him if he wants to go there now.