The playoffs provide a last stand for Didi Gregorius, a final chance to make a case that the Yankees should invest in retaining him.
Six months ago — even while he was healing after Tommy John surgery — Gregorius felt like a no-brainer, long-term investment for the Yanks. He was arguably their best all-around player, had established himself as a leader and offered what has become rare lefty diversity in their lineup.
The Yanks did try to extend Gregorius last offseason. But unlike Aaron Hicks and Luis Severino, who accepted — and probably are grateful they did after injury-devastated seasons — extension offers, Gregorius, like Dellin Betances, did not find common long-term ground with the Yankees.