Yankees: Gregorius Injury Only More Reason to Sign Harper, Not Machado

With Didi Gregorius’ recovery from Tommy John surgery set to keep him on the sidelines 8-12 months, the common solution speculated has been for the Yankees to sign star SS/3B Manny Machado who will become a free agent following the conclusion of the World Series. On the quick glance, it sounds like a match made in heaven. Machado’s rumored top choice is reportedly the Yankees who already tried to acquire him this past July and now, are without their shortstop.

However, substituting Gregorius out for Machado only furthers a problem the Yankees suffered from heavily in 2018. A balanced lineup. Despite possessing what’s obviously a potent starting nine, it’s no secret that there’s a heavy lack of left-handed pop amongst guys who are all right-handed like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez, Miguel Andujar, and others.

First off, let’s clarify the star Manny Machado is by giving him the respect he deserves. After all, the 26-year-old slashed .297/.367/.538 with 37 homers while putting up a wRC+ of 140. He’s a clear generational talent and that much does not need to be stated. However, that doesn’t mean he’s the right fit for the Yankees’ situation.

Now, let’s say that the Yankees answer to being outclassed by the Red Sox in the ALDS along with the Gregorius news is to insert Manny into the fold, then the transition of power in Aaron Boone’s lineup becomes even more immense to the right side.

Yankees’ 2018 Lineup

LF    Andrew McCutchen*   (R)

RF    Aaron Judge   (R)

CF    Aaron Hicks   (S)

DH   Giancarlo Stanton   (R)

1B    Luke Voit   (R)

SS    Didi Gregorius   (L)

3B   Miguel Andujar   (R)

C     Gary Sanchez   (R)

2B  Gleyber Torres   (R)

*Free agent

Yankees’ 2019 Projected Lineup with Manny Machado

CF   Aaron Hicks   (S)

RF   Aaron Judge   (R)

SS   Manny Machado   (R)

LF   Giancarlo Stanton   (R)

1B   Luke Voit   (R)

3B   Miguel Andujar   (R)

C     Gary Sanchez   (R)

2B   Gleyber Torres   (R)

LF   Jacoby Ellsbury/Clint Frazier*   (L/R)

*Not factoring in possible offseason acquisitions

So, the plan is to sign Machado to replace Gregorius which would be substituting the single lefty power threat with another right-handed one? That doesn’t sound so ideal anymore, does it?

Not to mention with the absence of any left-handed power to balance their lineup, the Yankees are practically wasting the presence of the short porch in right field. Enter Bryce Harper.

To be clear, we’re not going to dabble into the contracts Harper and Machado may or may not receive simply due to the fact that I and likely every insider within the game has no clue what this coming offseason holds for the two. But in terms of who would benefit the club more in 2019 and beyond, the clear answer is Bryce Harper.

Harper, 26, did, in fact, post a down year in 2018, that is if you still take a player’s batting average into account to determine the success of their season. In 159 games, the former first overall pick slashed .249/.393/.496 with 34 home runs and a 140 wRC+. Obviously, not his best year. But that’s what’s so fascinating about it.

In a down season where he clearly struggled, hitting just .249, Harper still managed to lead all of baseball in walks to give him an impressive OBP of .393. Toss in the 34 homers and 100 RBI he hit and the narrative of a so-so walk-year almost sounds foolish. But let’s take a look at his peak seasons.

Bryce Harper’s 2015/2017 Stats:

• AVG:   .330/.319
• OBP:   .460/.413
• SLG:   .649/.595
• OPS:   1.109/1.008
• wRC+:   197/155
• fWAR:   9.3/4.5

Yankees’ 2019 Projected Lineup with Bryce Harper

CF   Aaron Hicks   (S)

RF   Aaron Judge   (R)

LF   Bryce Harper   (L)

DH   Giancarlo Stanton   (R)

1B   Luke Voit   (R)

3B   Miguel Andujar   (R)

C     Gary Sanchez   (R)

SS   Gleyber Torres   (R)

2B   Tyler Wade/Ronald Torreyes*

*Not factoring in possible offseason acquisitions

Harper’s 2015 campaign especially ranks as one of the best this century has ever seen. Of course, a great argument could be made for Manny Machado to be signed instead. I can’t dispute that they’re both generational talents who are available at an exceptionally young age. But imagine holding the chance to sign a 26-year-old who possesses .450 OBP/50 homer potential from the left side of the plate and not jumping on it. All that could be starting in the Yankees’ Opening Day lineup come next March.