No QO

Monday was the deadline for clubs to make Qualifying Offers to pending free agents. And the Yankees, faced with offering a guaranteed $17.9 million to shortstop Didi Gregorius, decided to pass.

After making $11.75 million this past season, when, after missing the first two months recovering from elbow surgery, he turned in less-than-exciting offensive numbers. A bad time for his least productive season as a Yankee -- especially after seeing 2nd baseman Gleyber Torres fill in more than capably during April and May.

The popular, multi-lingual and charismatic native of the Netherlands exceeded all expectations in taking over for franchise icon Derek Jeter. But at a time when the Yankees appear eager to remain under the luxury tax threshold, balanced against a clear need to upgrade the starting rotation, Didi, for all his positives, could well have become too pricey for a team that has more pressing off-season priorities.

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