NEW YORK, NY – We’re over a week into 2019 and the Rangers have lost five games to start the new calendar year. After a promising start to the season in which the Rangers were one of the top teams in the Metropolitan Division and looking like a playoff team. Now they’re near the bottom of the division after losing five games in a row.
The Blueshirts fought hard last night against the Islanders, but they fell short for the fifth time in a row and the 8th time in their last ten games. The fire sale should be on over the next few weeks. Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello could be shipped out as rentals to teams looking to make a push for Lord Stanley’s Cup. While Zuc’s days at the garden seem to be numbered, there seems to be a bit more hope that the Rangers will give Kevin Hayes a long term extension. The 26-year old Hayes has put together an amazing year so far. He’s missed a few games of late with an “upper body injury”, but he should be back to performing soon.
Hayes will be looking for a five year deal worth around $5.5 million per year. The window to sign Hayes opened January 1st and Rangers could give it to the versatile forward unless someone makes Blueshirts GM Jeff Gorton an offer he can’t refuse. Because of Hayes’ value on the trade market, the Rangers probably won’t make an offer for Hayes until after the trade deadline. We’ll see what transpires over the next month but I’m comfortable saying that this Rangers team will look quite different come February 26th.
The Yankees and Mets will both look Different when spring training starts next month. The Mets new GM Brodie Van Wagenen has made a splash this offseason bringing in the likes of Robinson Cano and Wilson Ramos. Yesterday the Amazin’s added another all star to their roster when they signed All-Star infielder Jed Lowrie to a two-year, $20 million contract. Van Wagenen is really going for broke this season, trying to get the current Mets generation over the top before things fall apart with their pitching staff. The Mets have had a disappointing run since winning the National League pennant in 2015. The Mets front office are doing everything they can to give the team a shot at a World Series title before their pitching core moves on to greener pastures.
In the Bronx, the Yankees are still in the Manny Machado sweepstakes, even though they have yet to make an offer. Machado is hoping to become a $300 Million Man and the Yanks still seem to be at the top of the list. The White Sox and Phillies are still in the running also. The Phillies just hired former Orioles third base coach, Bobby Dickerson who has worked closely with Machado in the past. The Chi Sox signed Jon Jay, a good friend of Machado, and Yonder Alonso, Machado’s brother-in-law, to try to lure the free agent to Chicago.
With pitchers and catchers reporting in a month, we’ll soon see where Machado and Bryce Harper take their talents.
