SPECULATION: The Didi Gregorius Extension is Coming

The New York Yankees positioned themselves this winter to get under the luxury tax threshold for a few reasons. Obviously, the main reason is because Yankees principal owner Hal Steinbrenner is a cheap bastard and a coupon clipper, but another reason is because of the financial gains the Yankees would enjoy if they are able to stay under the luxury tax threshold for the entirety of the 2018 season. The Yankees would no longer have a tax levied on every dollar they spent via trades and on the free agency market and the team would no longer be penalized for going over the cap if they were to sign a free agent who recently declined a qualifying offer. The final reason the team wanted to get under the luxury tax threshold, and maybe the most important reason for many Yankees fans, is so the team can go absolutely crazy spending money after the 2018 season, both on potential free agents like Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, but also to keep a few of their own in the Bronx for the rest of their careers.

New York is going to spend their money in 2019 just like they do every single offseason, but this offseason we may see a few more players locked up that are currently employed by the team and less players being added via free agency. I am talking about players like Sonny Gray and specifically Didi Gregorius, who I think will receive a contract extension barring any production or health concerns that arise during the 2018 season. Didi is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career after his last arbitration eligible season in 2019, so New York has one year beyond the current 2018 campaign to get Didi locked up long-term.

Didi is possibly the best pure hitter on the team, yes, I realize what I just said and it wouldn’t be the first time I have been killed on the internet for saying so, and is also a stellar defender at shortstop. Didi is a key guy in the clubhouse and he probably owns the best Twitter account on the team, which shouldn’t count for anything but it does for me anyway. It shows his character and it shows his willingness and ability to relate to his fans, something that is not always so easy in a huge market like New York.

The Yankees will extend Didi after the season once the financial restrictions are gone and the resets have begun, just be patient. It doesn’t matter if Manny Machado is about to hit free agency and it doesn’t matter if he grew up idolizing the Yankees, it is not a given that he will sign here and honestly, I’d prefer Didi anyway. Sue me, unbookmark the site and burn me at the stake. I stand by my words and I stand by my feelings. I’d rather see the Yankees allocate that money into their starting staff while keeping Didi rather than having another surplus and luxury of infielders. Sorry, not sorry.

Weekly Check In: Jorge Mateo

The Yankees top prospect Jorge Mateo left a game earlier in the week early with an undisclosed injury. The truth never officially came out but rumors immediately circulated that he was removed because he wasn't hustling. That doesn't sound like Mateo but you never know.

Mateo also saw his season end early in 2015 due to a leg injury so when does the team start worrying about a pattern rearing its ugly head? Yes I realize it’s too early to think about something like that but I can’t help it, it’s just the way I am hardwired. I’m always thinking 10 moves ahead. It’s a gift and a curse.

At the time of the injury Mateo had done well statistically speaking although his stolen base numbers have left much to be desired after 2015. An alarming number I am noticing is the number of caught stealing and pick off attempts that go awry with Mateo. Is he just unlucky or is his read on the opposing pitcher that bad? I truly don’t know.

Mateo’s future with the club is something I definitely think is worth discussing and worth worrying about now despite the fact that he is still a good couple years away from the Major Leagues. The Yankees have young and effective players at both the shortstop position (Didi Gregorius) and second base position (Starlin Castro) for the foreseeable future and I’m not sure if Mateo’s arm could be sustainable at the third base position. Does this make Mateo trade bait potentially? You have to think that may at least be a possibility.

But we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. There’s no room for negativity, it’s Friday!

Year	Age	Lev	G	PA	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2016	21	A+	24	107	21	31	3	3	19	8	6	10	23	.330	.396	.521	.918

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