Nolan Arenado
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees’ preference for Nolan Arenado over Manny Machado could be a reason for the team’s hesitancy to dole out a huge contract.

It’s time to rename the “hot stove” something more apropos. Perhaps the “no-superstars-will-be-paid stove” is a better name for the offseason now. As Manny Machado remains unsigned, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes about why it could be a smart decision to sign a one-year deal somewhere.

Furthermore, Sherman notes that the New York Yankees prefer Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado over Machado. Sherman writes:

“But even signing somewhere else for a year, Machado would get to see if Miguel Andujar actually can hold down third base, if Gregorius leaves as a free agent after the season and whether Troy Tulowitzki has anything left. In other words, the Yanks might be in a different level of need come next offseason, albeit with a chance to grab Arenado, whom they like better.”

Arenado will be a free agent after the 2019 season. He has long been rumored to be a target of general manager Brian Cashman. That would explain the front office’s hesitancy to aggressively pursue Machado or even superstar outfielder Bryce Harper.

Of course, this could all be smoke and mirrors because the Yankees are hardly the only team who are refusing to take out the checkbook this offseason.

In fact, the last two offseasons have been historic steps back for players seeking big-time contracts. There was speculation that the slow offseason heading into 2018 was in preparation for Machado and Harper.

Now there’s speculation again that the Yankees could be waiting for Arenado to hit the market. Is that the truth or will next winter be deja vu all over again?


NY/NJ hoops reporter (NBA/NCAA) & sports betting writer for XL Media. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.