The New York Yankees are no spring chicken when it comes to bringing in some of the best hitters in baseball. They’re seasoned veterans that know how to attract even the biggest of names, because after all, every young baseball player’s dream is to wear the pinstripes. The same pinstripes Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Derek Jeter, and many other have enjoyed over the years.
Being a Yankee is special; the fans are special, the city is special, but the expectations are the most intimidating factor of all. The second you sign up to come to New York, you’re expected to perform, or the fan-base will make sure you understand the implications of an entitled past.
Losing isn’t an option, and for GM Brian Cashman, his job is to ensure the Yankees are prepared to make a run at the World Series every year. While 2018 didn’t go as hoped, the organization is in a good place heading into the future.
Will Manny Machado be a part of the New York Yankees future?
The third-baseman was stellar last year, but had issues with his personality and effort at times. He claims to never give anything less than 100%, but if you’ve seen him run the bases, you can often tell he’s not giving it his all. Maybe it could have been a bothersome injury, but the answer it unknown.
Manny Machado thought he had a home run on this swing…
It ended up only being a single. pic.twitter.com/ZF0ijtHdsa
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 27, 2018
For the Yankees, they expect the best out of every starting player, and if they have any reservation about the effort Machado offers, they surely should walk away and live to see another day. On the other hand, if they believe New York will bring the best out of an already stellar athlete, he could be a revelation for the Yankees’ intimidating lineup.
According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, Machado’s first choice is the Yankees given they’re willing to meet his price-point. Reports have surfaced stating the Yankees aren’t willing to break the $300 million mark to sign the big-bat. Machado is preparing to meet with the Chicago White Sox. There are several other teams reportedly interested in the third-baseman in addition to the Yankees and White Sox.
Machado registered an impressive slash-line before joining the Dodgers from the Orioles before the trade deadline in 2018 — .297/.367/.538 in 162 total games last season. He also managed 37 homers and tallied 107 RBIs.
If the Yankees are planning on utilizing Machado at third base – he’s won two Golden Glove awards in his career – they might be keen on sliding Gleyber Torres over to short-stop and Miguel Andujar to second while Didi Gregorious heals from Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow.
The bottom line, the top reason the Yankees should sign Machado is that he brings a stellar defensive glove to the infield and a world-class bat to the lineup. On the other hand, his behind the scenes persona and on the field effort has raised some red-flags, which ultimately could be enough to force the Yankees into passing on the star.