by Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper headline the MLB free agent class. The league is gathered in Carlsad, Calif. this week for the annual GM meetings. Among those in attendance is Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.
Major League Baseball is open for business at the GM Meetings in Carlsbad, Calif.
All eyes are on free agent sluggers Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, both of whom could receive 10-year contracts worth more than $300 million.
Several deep-pocketed teams, including the Yankees, are expected to talk to representatives for both players.
General manager Brian Cashman will also scour the pitching market for help in the starting rotation.
Owner Hal Steinbrenner had been adamant that Cashman get the payroll under the luxury tax threshold in 2018.
So does that mean the Yankees will turn around and start spending again when Cashman puts together the team for 2019? In a word, yes, according to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale:
The Yankees and Dodgers have spent years trying to get below the $197 million luxury tax to reset their penalties at 20% and give them the option of going wild in the free-agent market. So will they?
The Yankees, who have watched the Red Sox dominate the AL East the last three years, aren’t about to let the opportunity slip by. It’s time to go for the jugular. They want to add at least two starters, and will do everything possible to sign Patrick Corbin — the ace of the free-agent market — and perhaps grab Machado, too. Corbin will fit in as their No. 2 starter behind Luis Severino, and Machado can play shortstop until Didi Greorious is healthy, then shift to third while Miguel Andujar slides to the outfield or second.
14 things learned at GM Meetings
Only two teams exceeded the luxury tax in 2018: the Red Sox and Nationals.
Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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