Spring Training has kicked off with pitchers and catchers reporting. Meanwhile, Manny Machado and Bryce Harper remain unsigned. Yankees fans were hoping their team would sign either one of them, but it appears that Yankees manager Aaron Boone is all set with his roster and lineup. NJ.com has reported that Boone was honored at the Thurman Munson Award Dinner, where he later spoke with the media and suggested that he would not be signing any of the superstar free agents.
Boone told the media that his team is set, but that things could change. He believes that he is entering spring training with a team he expects that will start opening day.
This is not surprising based on his explosive moves they made during the offseason. They bolstered their starting rotation and bullpen. They also made moves to build up their infield defense.
Harper and Machado not needed for a strong Yankees team
Bryce Harper and Manny Machado would be strong assets for the Yankees, helping them win another World Series title. However, their roster is currently already one of the best in major league baseball. They also don't need the financial burden of a $300 million deal, with either Machado or Harper, over the next decade.
Aaron Judge recently told TMZ that he would be willing to give up his position to make room for Harper. The Bronx Bombers have not paid much attention to Machado and thus moved on from agreeing to any deal with Machado.
Boone's decision not to sign Machado or Harper was probably made by the 2017 trade for Giancarlo Stanton. If Stanton was not traded to the Yankees, Harper may have been playing for the Yankees.
Aaron Boone hasn't shown much serious interest in Machado
According to SNY.tv, the Yankees did meet with Machado during the offseason but never made him an actual offer and they didn't appear interested in offering his asking price.
Aaron Boone is happy with Miguel Cabrera at third base despite his prior struggles defensively.
An injury has sidelined Didi Gregorius for the first half of the season, but Aaron Boone still believes he is entering spring training with the team that will start opening day. The team has all the right tools to put them atop the AL East and clinch a 28th World Championship. Now we wait and see whether Boone can succeed with either one of these powerful free agents. Nevertheless, the Yankees are a strong team despite not having either Machado or Harper.