Cole, Donaldson & Machado, Oh My!

So this weekend we got some closure to some open-ended questions we have been discussing over the last several months.  And these answers may or may not be ones you want to hear, but none-the-less they are answers.

According to CBS Sports, “The Blue Jays and star third baseman Josh Donaldson have agreed to an arbitration-record contract of $23 million for the 2018 season.”  Like many have said to me over the last few weeks, we don’t need that expensive, perhaps overrated third baseman.  We have plenty of guys who can fill that spot, for a much lower price.  Gleyber Torres is someone who could fill our void at third should we not sign fan favorite Todd Frazier.  Many are hopeful that the Yankees and Frazier come to an agreement because the New Jersey native adds more than just powerful defensive on the left corner of the infield.

“Manny Machado agreed to a one-year, $16 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles on Friday to avoid a salary arbitration hearing in February, a source told ESPN.”  This solidifies our need to either make a move or make a statement about who is in contention for third base for the 2018 Yankees.  As Brandon Kuty of NJ.com says, “Do your best to get Frazier. He wants a multi-year deal, which isn’t ideal, but he’s the best option for the price, he wants to be a Yankee and has shown he can handle playing here.”  Kuty also suggests that Frazier could also play first base, adding even more value to his signing.  Stay tuned as we keep an eye on the Yankees next move with Frazier.

Finally, the biggest news of this trio of deals is that Gerrit Cole heads to Houston instead of the Yankees.  Many thought the wait and see strategy would bode well for the Yankees in signing Cole for what they were willing to give.  But, that strategy failed Saturday as Cole makes his way into the Astros rotation next season.

“Before sending Cole to Houston, the Pirates had held extensive trade talks with the New York Yankees this winter. But sources familiar with the discussions told ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick that New York held the line on including prospects Gleyber Torres, Justus Sheffield, Estevan Florial or Miguel Andujar in any trade, so the Pirates quickly had to shift their attention to other potential targets. One source said New York expressed a willingness to include outfielder Clint Frazier or pitcher Chance Adams in a package deal for Cole, but not both,” reported ESPN.

Sure, we lost Cole but what we gained is our pride.  We did not want to give up the farm for a player who may not be able to make it here in New York.  Quite frankly, his numbers are not worth giving up the incredible possibility that the group of prospects at stake could provide for the growing Yankee team.  And I for one is happy that we passed on Cole.  As Brian Cashman suggested earlier this fall, we have to be prepared to go with who we have.  And maybe that is exactly what will happen.

Cole, Donaldson and Machado are right where they are supposed to be and we are where we are supposed to be: still on track, still focused on winning with a team of young players with a winning attitude.  Spring training is officially 30 days away.  And who knows what will happen between now and then.

–Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

Mike O’Hara’s New Website