Despite Anthony Volpe?s Gold Glove Success, the Yankees Once Missed Signing the Perfect Shortstop in 2021

The Texas Rangers? iconic win constantly points out the New York Yankees? blunders. Brian Cashman had made several bad decisions throughout these years. They backfired terribly this season. As the Rangers achieved their first World Series despite their rocky season, this points out another failure of Cashman in 2021. He could have signed the ?perfect shortstop? of MLB, but he missed the chance.

The Rangers have several players whom the Bronx Bombers could have signed in their previous free agencies. Instead, they went for others. Anthony Volpe doesn?t fall on the list, though. He made his MLB debut this season as a shortstop and established his talent. When the entire team collapsed, the player achieved Gold Gloves.

The Yankees Had the Chance to Sign Marcus Semien

Marcus Semien has had his dream season this year. He not only contributed to the team?s win but was a potent contender in the MVP run. However, the Yankees could have had this player and thus, might have encounter a different fate this season.

Semien was a glaring talent from the beginning. In 2021, he broke Brian Dozier?s record for home runs by a second baseman with a career-high 45 dingers. He had 102 RBI and 15 stolen bases that year to speak for his potential. Even this year, the shortstop has ended with a .224 average, 10 RBIs, 17 hits, and 2 home runs in the postseason. He performed his best during the crucial time to lead the Rangers to the World Series.

In 2021, Semien was a free agent. He spent the season with the Toronto Blue Jays on a one-year deal. Coincidentally, the Yankees had been looking for a shortstop that same year. Cashman highlighted it, saying, ?an area of need.? So, it was an enormous opportunity for the team to get a player with two top-three MVP finishes in the last three years. Unfortunately, disappointing the fans, the GM of the team passed on the opportunity.

However, that was not the only blunder Cashman made. He even let go of Nathan Eovaldi, the star pitcher in Ranger?s success.

The Bronx Bombers Released Nathan Eovaldi in 2017

Sounds shocking, right? But that?s what Cashman did in 2017. Eovaldi underwent two major elbow procedures while he was with the Yankees. Those reportedly require almost the entire 2017 season to heal. So, the team decided to release the player that year.

Read More: Nathan Eovaldi?s Contract With Texas Rangers Sparked Unwanted Friction With GM Chris Young?s Wife-Here?s Everything You Need to Know About the $34 Million Deal

The more unfortunate part was that Eovaldi was willing to rejoin the Yanks after he recovered. But the team didn?t agree with him. Instead, he signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2018. Within five years, he has played a significant role in earning the World Series championship for the Rangers.

With these two players, The Pinstripes could have encountered a different fate. They might not end up as they did.

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