In all likelihood, Didi Gregorius is already crafting an emoji-coded farewell tweet to his New York Yankees fans and teammates. The Bombers failed to make a $17.8 million qualifying offer to the shortstop on Monday, abandoning him to free agency.
Because the Yankees didn’t make the offer, they won’t receive a compensatory draft pick if Gregorius signs with another club.
The 29-year-old arrived in New York via trade in 2014, filling the gaping hole left by a retired Derek Jeter. Seemingly unfazed by the pressure of that role, Gregorius thrived.