When it comes to a player that publicly states he’s no “Charlie Hustle,” arrogant and self-absorbed might be two descriptive words that comes to mind. For the New York Yankees, this would be in reference to superstar free agent Manny Machado.
The two-time Gold Glove winner has made it known that he will not change his style of play for any team, and given the expectations that Yankee fans place on players, that’s not the ideal thing to say. Wearing the Pinstripes comes with a sense of entitlement, yes, but it also demands success and quality. Those are two things Machado brings to his club every year, boasting a career .282 batting average.
His defensive capabilities are also top-echelon, making him an even more attractive target. Despite his lack of hustle, there’s not much you can say bad about him. Even relief pitcher Zach Britton said Manny was a great teammate while on the Baltimore Orioles.
Are the New York Yankees willing to spend the money on Manny Machado?
My other concern with bringing in the generational talent is his price-tag. Machado and his representatives are seeking a deal in the 10-year, $300 million range, well outside the offer-sheet the Yankees intend on proposing. Both the Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies have also fallen short of that number, which would indicate his market value is below what he wants.
The kind of money the Yankees would have to spend to secure his signature would be hefty, but if they can lure him to the Bronx on a 7-year deal worth around $200 million, that could be justified. Another concern would be the length of the contract.
Signing players to such long contracts can back-fire, as with age comes injury and inconsistency. Building a team around youth players and veteran leadership is the ideal method, but occasionally a star-player is necessary to take the club to the next level.
The bottom line, signing Machado would benefit the team undoubtedly, but his monetary investment and personality flaws might be enough to force the Yankees to look elsewhere for top-talent.