Oct 28, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado (8) reacts after striking out in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox in game five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox are both heavily in the race for star infielder Manny Machado. Despite claims of a lackadaisical style of the play, Machado has proven more times than not that he’s a top-tier free agent and deserving of a significant contract.
Both teams have gone out of their way to impress the star FA, with the White Sox going as far as acquiring his brother-in-law Yonder Alonso, while the Yankees hired Carlos Beltran, coincidentally repped by the same agent as Manny.
Machado has had a stellar career to date, earning a career .282 batting average and 31 home runs over a 162-game season. Not to mention the two Golden Glove awards Machado has achieved throughout his seven-year career.
But, the reason the Yanks are so high on him is due to his immense defensive ability, along with his super batting. He’s an all-around talent, which would only contribute to a team that struggled defensively in 2018. Miguel Andujar, currently the Yankees’ third-baseman, recorded 15 errors last season. Machado had just one error. It’s also possible that the Yankees choose to move him to short-stop while Didi Gregorius rehab from Tommy John surgery.
General manager Brian Cashman has reported that his interest in Bryce Harper is wavering, due to the strength of the Yankees in the outfield. Machado would be the more logical fit as he could slide right in at shortstop and take over at third-base for the long-term. Additionally, fitting Harper in a lineup of power hitters like Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge might be difficult.
The issue with the lineup given Machado is signed is that it would be predominantly right-handed, offering little diversity for opposing hitters.
After Machado’s visit with the White Sox earlier in the week, he traveled to New York on Wednesday to receive the star-treatment from management. We can anticipate Beltran being part of the conversation as well.
This post was published on 2018-12-19 11:07
