The only way the New York Yankees will manage to acquire Manny Machado this season is if he settles for a short-term deal in favor of an extended contract that earns him upwards of $250 million. While this clearly isn’t the ideal choice for the superstar free agent, it certainly has its positives.
The Yankees boast one of the league’s top bullpens and home run happy batting orders. Adding a player like Machado to the lineup would arguably make the Yankees’ the best in baseball. The Yankees are reportedly maintaing interest in the third baseman in case he chooses to sign a short terms deal.
This type of contract would make the Yankees instant World Series contenders, but it would put Miguel Andujar’s future in question.
Yankees’ Miguel Andujar could be affected:
Reports of Andujar earning some playing time at first base during the Grapefruit League spring games raise some questions, especially since Machado is still in the picture.
It would be surprising if the Bombers chose to go that route and moved Andujar, simply because of his potential as a cornerstone piece for the future. Disrupting his developmental process could be detrimental – his mental state must be handled appropriately or he could struggle with confidence if replaced.
There are several teams vying for the signature of the 26-year-old – Phillies and Padres. Machado stated that he was “dissapointed” with the offersn, which could cause him to redirect his focus or settle for a high-paying short-term deal. He would ultimately be banking on his talents and avoiding a significant injury that could affect his career. Manny’s luck has been solid in regard to injury, so the decision to forgo a big contract could actually benefit him in his search for a World Series ring.
A look ay Manny Machado’s 2018 performance:
In 2018, Machado hit .297 at the plate with 37 homers and 107 RBIs. It was the most runs batted in he’s earned in his entire career, and coming off a season of that quality is surely going to cost whichever team invests in the young star. The Yanks have the money, but can they convince him to join his boyhood club, that’s the question.