While that issue could be settled in multiple ways, Yankees fans will undoubtedly continue to question the team’s inability to land a top free agent. Freeman, 32, has finished in the top 10 of the National League’s M.V.P. voting in five of the last six seasons, winning the award once, and led Atlanta to a World Series title last year. Correa, 27, is coming off his best season. He hit 26 home runs and won a Gold Glove with an astounding 20 defensive runs saved at shortstop. They remain unsigned.
The Yankees, as they typically are with major free agents, were linked at various points to both players, as well as to another top free agent, shortstop Corey Seager, who signed a 10-year, $325 million deal with the Texas Rangers just before the lockout.
Instead, the Yankees will enter the season with an infield of Rizzo, Torres, Kiner-Falefa and Donaldson. It does not match the star power some Yankees fans had hoped for, but it is one that is likely to carry the team to baseball’s expanded postseason, particularly if the Yankees’ pitchers and star outfielders remain healthy.
James Wagner contributed reporting.