Cubs Strike Out Again? Fan Fav Will NOT be a Cub in 2019 and What it Could Mean for Sox Fans
There is a significant need in the Chicago Cubs offense, and with some aging players, expectations that some will move to different positions, and a suspension – there is a need for a defensive upgrade as well.
Knowing this, a lot of Cubs fans were hoping that the front office would sign former Cubs and former Colorado Rockies second baseman, D. J. LeMahieu.
The season will start with shortstop Addison Russell serving the remainder of his 40 game suspension, and it is expected that Javier Baez begins the season at short, in his place. Ben Zobrist, Ian Happ, and newcomer Daniel Descalso could take some reps at second base. Knowing Happ’s defense is suspect, Descalso is a nice player, but a bench/role type in Chicago, and Zobrist isn’t getting any younger – fans had hoped that LeMahieu would seek a return to the Northside of the Windy City.
But that was squashed with his agreeing to terms with the New York Yankees.
Source confirms: Free-agent second baseman DJ LeMahieu heading to #Yankees on two-year deal. Believed to be in $24M range. First reported: @JackCurryYES.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 11, 2019
The Yankees were thought to be very much involved in the Manny Machado sweepstakes, and by all accounts they have been. But now we do have to ask ourselves, are they giving up on that thought?
In recent days the Yankees have signed LeMahieu (2B), Troy Tulowitski (SS) and have Didi Gregorius (SS) and Gleyber Torres (2b, SS) on the roster. They could be asking Machado to return to third base (which is his best position), but he specifically wanted to return to SS as that would make him a more valuable commodity on the free agent market.
So that could suggest that Machado is seriously considering signing with the Chicago White Sox. Now, no one will tell you that Tulo is a valid second option to Machado, but with a couple of guys on the roster already you can see the Yanks pulling away. A lot of Cubs fans might believe that a move to sign on the Southside is purely a money grab, but with reports of the Sox offering only $200 million (wow, I said only $200 million) it becomes about much more than cash in hand.
A Machado going to the White Sox will certainly be about playing with friends and family. This offseason the White Sox have made it known that they are all-in for the slugger. They traded for Yonder Alsono (Machado’s brother-in-law), they signed Jon Jay (a close friend), and have traded for Ivan Nova who Machado got to know while playing in the World Baseball Classic.
At this point, I believe the White Sox are the favorite for Machado, and I don’t think it is close. Sure, the Philadelphia Phillies can come over the top and offer a $350 million deal, but they would be overbidding by $150 million at this point.
