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Fantasy Baseball 2019: Impact of Didi Gregorius’ Injury

By Bill Pivetz

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Didi Gregorius #18 of the New York Yankees throws to first base against the Boston Red Sox during Game Four American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 09, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Didi Gregorius #18 of the New York Yankees throws to first base against the Boston Red Sox during Game Four American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 09, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The Yankees will be without shortstop Didi Gregorius for some part of the 2019 season. What fantasy baseball impact does this have?

The New York Yankees had a great season, posting 100 wins despite a struggling starting rotation. Things for the 2019 season are already off to a bad start as Aaron Boone revealed to reporters that Didi Gregorius will undergo Tommy John surgery. There is no certain timeline for his return.

Recovery time is shorter for position players than it is for pitchers. However, Gregorius will likely miss the first two or three months of the season. Brian Cashman per Kristie Ackert of the NYDN said he estimates a summer return for the shortstop. Whether that means an early summer or late summer return is to be determined.

The Yankees have a couple of in-house options to fill in but they could also make a big splash in free agency and acquire a top shortstop. With the Yankees not spending as much as they used to, I see them going with the former option.

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The Yankees lineup will be a little less threatening without Gregorius in the lineup. Unless Gary Sanchez steps up in 2019, that will be two spots in the batting order that pitchers don’t have to worry about. Plus, without Gregorius, the other hitters have less protection in the lineup.

If the Yankees were to use someone already on the team, they won’t have a hard time with that. Gleyber Torres played shortstop in Triple-A before moving to second base.

The Yankees can then use Tyler Wade, Ronald Torreyes and Neil Walker at second base. Saving money in order to add depth to the rotation would be in their best interest.

On the other hand, the Yankees haven’t been afraid to spend money to acquire a top player. The best shortstop in the league is a free agent and has been linked to New York. Many thought the Yankees would acquire Manny Machado last offseason and at the trade deadline before going to Los Angeles.

Having Machado’s bat in the lineup, joining Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Miguel Andujar and the rest would send a message. I would not want to start a pitcher facing that lineup. That team may break the single-season home run record they set this season.

Either way the Yankees decide to go, they will still be competitive. Obviously adding Machado will boost everyone’s value. Moving Torres over to shortstop and having a platoon at second base will keep the same chemistry the team’s had all season.

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The ambiguous return time for Gregorius makes the Yankees front office decision unpredictable. When drafting, I would look to add Gregorius as one of my last picks and stash him on my DL.

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