Will Hal be looking out for YES, or for the Yankees?
For example, the upcoming Yankee season involves a roster than won 100 games last year, and could probably win 85 without even an oil change. But the upcoming YES TV season - that's a different story. It hinges upon a tired, disappointing Yankee team - second fiddle to Boston by a mile - which could use a new, marquee face. Giancarlo Stanton is not that person.
What greater move could YES make other than to bring Bryce Harper or Manny Machado to New York?
From a sheer marketing standpoint, it makes complete sense for YES to sign either, or both. If the Yankees bring Bryce Harper to Gotham, the Mets will be an afterthought in 2019.
But but BUT... With the exception of signing free agent pitchers - and the Yankees need more than one - whatever Cooperstown Cashman does this winter could unleash the dogs of hell upon last season's roster, starting a massive Rube Goldberg device that completely redesigns the 2019 Yankees.
For the Empire, nearly every "IF..." brings a significant "THEN..."
For example: IF the Yankees sign Manny Machado, THEN...
They have too many RH infielders, at least until Didi returns. Miguel Andujar would be traded or moved to the outfield, which would cause Clint Frazier to be dealt, unless Andujar moves to first, in which case Luke Voit would go... but if they don't, they have at least a four-month hole at shortstop, which means either Gleyber Torres moves there, creating a hole at second base, they must find a stopgap... yadda-yadda-yadda...
IF the Yankees sign Bryce Harper, THEN...
They have too many outfielders, causing Frazier and/or Aaron Hicks to be traded, unless a deal could be made for Giancarlo Stanton (unlikely, but who knows?), or Harper moves to first base, meaning Greg Bird and/or Voit is dealt... but if they don't, they have almost no LH bats, and does anyone believe Cashman would leave first base in the hands of Bird and Voit, and left field to the aging Brett Gardner, so out goes Frazier and...
Jeez, this just gave me a headache.
From the TV standpoint, it's easy: You sign Bryce Harper, at whatever the cost, and fuck it. But from the Yankees' standpoint, you're launching a massive reboot.
One final thought... If you believe the Internet, the Yankees have notched offers from Cincinnati and Oakland for the NYC-estranged starter Sonny Gray. Nobody has yet reported the details, but I doubt the A's are bundling Khris Davis and Matt Olson. For now, it's pure, Drunk History-style speculation - made even crazier by the flood-gates that could open when the big fish start moving.
My best guess, in all these piles of speculation, is that the Yankees won't deal Sonny until the big names are off the board, and Cashman has a clear picture of what the Yankees need. Strap yourselves in, folks. A bomb is about to drop.
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Again, it should't be THAT difficult if the Yankees are smart and plan in the redundancy they will inevitably need over the course of the long season.
I would try to make El Matador into a left fielder, put Manny on third—at least until Didi gets back—and El Conquistador at short, and have Toe, Wade, and/or maybe some pick-up hold down second.
Sign Harper, too, and then you have an outfielder, OR a first baseman if Voit/Bird flame out. Don't count on Frazier ever coming back. If he does, well, that's a good problem to deal with, and easy—put Andujar back on third, and Red Thunder in left.
Oh, and sign every pitcher you can get without giving up too much.
Easy peasy lemon squeezy, no?
But remember the caveat above: "if the Yankees are smart."
Traditionally, the Yankees have always benefited over the long run by pumping money back into the team on the field, and building up redundancy. That's what creates long-lasting dynasties or at least contenders.
I fear, though, that Hal has now got a taste of how quick and easy the sugar comes from austerity. And with virtually no sporting competition in town, he has the field free to concentrate on his real interests, such as making NYCFC a Pigeon powerhouse.
You heard it here first: Yanks will sign no major free agent beyond Patrick Corbin.
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