When Jose Altuve killed the Yankees’ season with a game-ending two-run home run off Aroldis Chapman in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 6 of the ALCS, Didi Gregorius was on the road to free agency for the first time.
The immediate speculation was the left-handed hitting shortstop who was limited to 82 games after missing the first eight-plus weeks of the season following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow could sign a one-year deal with the Yankees and use 2020 to play a full season healthy and secure a long-term deal in his second trip through free agency.