Manny Machado’s now-infamous “Johnny Hustle” comments and the incident in which appeared to deliberately clip Jesus Aguilar’s foot on a play at first base have made him more of a lightning rod than ever, and there’ll be no shortage of speculation on the degree to which he damaged his free-agent stock (if at all) as the offseason wears on. Asked about Machado’s comments, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said it would be “essential” for GM Brian Cashman to have a heart-to-heart with the 26-year-old as part of any legitimate pursuit (link via USA Today’s Bob Nightengale).
Steinbrenner emphasized that regardless of the price tag attached to a player, such comments are “clearly troubling” and “ain’t going to sell where we play baseball.” He also indicated that makeup is crucial when identifying targets and, without specifying names, suggested that some players have already been ruled out by the Yankees because the organization doesn’t feel they’d handle playing in New York well. Machado, Nightengale notes, is not one of that bunch. The YES Network’s Michael Kay agrees with that notion, as he said on-air today that he gets a sense the Yankees are “in on Machado in a serious way” (Twitter link).
Some more Machado chatter in the early stages of free agency…
- Drama aside, Machado is still an ideal target for the Phillies, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia opines. Salisbury reports that Phillies officials do indeed have some concerns about Machado’s makeup, though he rightly notes that Machado is largely the same player/person he’s always been — even if those ill-timed comments came while playing on the biggest possible stage. Concerns notwithstanding, the Phils are still very much open to pursuing Machado. Salisbury quotes general manager Matt Klentak from last week’s GM Meetings: “If you’re trying to find the young free agent who’s good at everything and a prince in the clubhouse, you’re going to be looking for a long time.”
- The Giants may be an oft-cited speculative landing spot for Bryce Harper, but Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area writes that San Francisco is completely “out” on Machado for more than just financial considerations. Pavlovic notes that it’s true there’s no immediately apparent spot for Machado in San Francisco anyway, though he reports that some throughout the game believe new president of baseball ops Farhan Zaidi will look for a way to move the remainder of Evan Longoria’s contract this winter. Even if that happens, though, Machado would not emerge as an option for the Giants, according to Pavlovic.
- Meanwhile, NBC’s Vinnie Duber takes a look what the oft-suggested fit between the White Sox and Machado. While the Sox undoubtedly have the long-term payroll capacity and an opening at third base, Machado’s preference is to play shortstop, where Tim Anderson made positive strides in 2018 after being signed as a long-term option there. Duber also notes that Machado’s “Johnny Hustle” comments wouldn’t sit well with recently extended manager Rick Renteria, who has previously benched multiple players for failure to adhere to fundamentals such as running out grounders and pop-ups. GM Rick Hahn recently praised the “culture of accountability” that Renteria has created (link via Duber), adding that it’s important for the organization that its players buy into said culture.
stevewpants
In which appeared?!?!?! Are you guys getting paid by Machados agent?
geg42
What?
stevewpants
There is no room for ambiguity regarding that play. He tried to hit Aguilars foot. The sentence should read, “the incident in which he clipped…”
Polymath
The actual sentence, “the incident in which (sic) appeared to deliberately clip.” In fact, he did clip, he deliberately clipped, and he appeared to clip … all of these statements are true.
The sentence should read, “the incident in which he deliberately and purposefully clipped, with malice aforethought …”
SoCalBrave
The “apparently” is in regards as to whether it was deliberately, not as to if he actually clipped Aguilar.
Priggs89
Pretty sure he understands that… And pretty sure he’s saying it was clearly on purpose – which it was.
T_Rexx2
It doesn’t matter if it was on purpose or not. Unless it was proven it was on purpose, a site like this that is only providing you with facts and possible facts isn’t gonna take a side on an ongoing issue. Which is why they said “apparently.”
martras
I’m not sure you actually watched the video replays.
This article was quite nice to Machado and how it should have read
“where he deliberately engaged in a dirty play, trying to injure Jesus Aguilar by clipping Aguilar’s foot while Machado was running to first base.”
They could have added
“It’s likely the act was a direct result of being frustrated from losing games and being called out for previous dirty plays and a lack of effort.”
JKB 2
Yea that is how I read it. I thought it was referring to the issue of intent or not.
ronnyalton
Remember when the “MLBTR” comments section used to be about different trade opinions and not peoples smarmy off topic comments? Those were fun…
shelteredsoxfan
Pepperidge farm remembers
duckman 77
lol. great comment
ronnyalton
Shelteredsox fan thats the spirit.
passed_balls
People online need to stop with this tired ass meme.
realgone2
I’ve been saying that for months. I seem to remember this site weeding out trolls and idiots pretty well.
wiggysf
I wish it was like it used to be in the comments section. That was the main reason I’d look at articles, but now it is barely worth it.
MikeyHammer
Totally agree. I had hoped for a forum in which adult baseball fans could discuss the minutiae of this great game openly, civilly even. Too many times it’s interrupted by name calling and much sophomoric bluster.
xabial
Please no Yankees…
joedirte4life
To quote the Macho Man Randy Savage
Oooooooohhhhhh Yeahhhhhhhh!!!!
They dropping 35+ mil a season for 10 years on Macho Machado
Dig it.
3rdStrikeLooking
For christ sake, the article is 6 minutes old and you posted….already. i am sure you read it real well.
Nope, skip right to the bottom and post random crap.
xabial
Yankees referenced in the first paragraph.
Thank you for keeping it about baseball (again)
baseball1600
He just wants the attention. Leave him be. At least when Casey did these kinds of things, it was funny. Xabial is just annoying and isn’t worth your time.
stevewpants
Except xabial knows what hes talking about and casey was pushing buttons just to push them.
baseball1600
Yeah “please no Yankees…” some real insight right there.
stevewpants
He’s a yankee fan, you can hate on him for being a yankee fan, but not for expressing his opinion about what he wants his team to do.
xabial
Actually I also get hated on for expressing my opinion why I think Machado’s not the guy. (Two knee surgeries, and playoff hustle) but really, really appreciated that stevespants. Thank you
baseball1600
I’m just saying, you say he knows what he’s talking about, yet he’s the same guy thinking Scherzer was just as deserving as DeGrom for Cy Young, the same guy talking about how Ohtani didn’t deserve ROY, the same guy who a year ago was talking about how the Giants weren’t old and were going to compete, yet a year later is talking mad crap about them. He just says what he thinks others want to hear, I’ve been on this website for 3 years now, I’ve seen enough.
stevewpants
Differences of opinion are all good here but Casey was contrary just to be contrary. He instigated without offering any comments that moved the conversation forward. Its just a bad comparison in my book. Scherzer had an amazing season and arguing for Andujar over ohtani is reasonable though i dont agree. And if all the giants pitchers performed to expectations they would have competed this year.
callingoutdummies247
Xabial does know what he’s talking about. Just too bad others see it as the crap that it is
baseball1600
My giants reference is that he tries to please his audience. The Giants threads early last year were littered with Xabial talking about how they can contend. Now every time I try bringing up a point about my team, it’s an automatic, highly edited response about how I’m wrong, and it’s in every thread I’m in. I wouldn’t have such a problem with him if he didn’t respond to all my posts regarding a team that he knows little to nothing about. Also him thinking Scherzer is better than DeGrom is just yankee bias. No “educated” baseball fan thinks so unless they are a Yankee or Nat fan.
xabial
Dude only time we talk Giants is my disagree you think they can sign Harper or Machado. Every other time, always give props to your franchise, it’s all in your head.
jleve618
You’re honestly one of the only people I like on this site. Sometimes I think you’re foolish and I disagree as often as not, but I like the comments. Everyone else here has such an incredibly inflated ego that I can’t stand most of them.
baseball1600
Yea, ok. I’m not going to take anything posted by you with even the slightest legitimance.
PhanaticDuck26
or legitimacy, if we are trying to use real words…
ShieldF123
“legitimance”
that’s too good
seanwh01
Legitimance – the act of someone trying to create a legitimate representation of a man with intelligence.
InPolesWeTrust
Touché. Lol
T_Rexx2
Except that scherzer had a higher K/9, a lower h/9, and WHIP. Slightly lower WAR, but only by half a win and 40 more stikeouts. It’s not hard to see why someone would think that Scherzer should have won. It was pretty close. I do think deGrom should have won. BUT if we are talking about who is better over all you can’t say Scherzer isn’t the best, he won the last 2 Cy Young awards and could have made it 3. He’s still the best pitcher in baseball right now.
JKB 2
But is commenting on who he thinks should be ROY or Cy Young really an issue? Especially when he is commenting at the time the awards are being announced?
gotothevideotape
X
I agree with you, you always make sense and do not start trouble ever.
These posters along with Manny
are nothing but dirty players!!
gotothevideotape
YUP, Jleve
Dan_Oz
And you hang around waiting for Xabial to comment so you can trash him. Surely there’s more productive ways to spend your time.
JKB 2
So 3rd strike what is the time limit minimum before someone can post?
billysbballz
X
It’s gonna happen and Miggy is gonna get dealt for a front line starter. Book it!
xabial
Nooo..!! Harper’s our man.
Trade Frazier for front line starter.. (I can dream)
Knowthemarket
Frazier as a package I assume. If you get Harper I would say use Hicks to get a front line starter
thefenwayfaithful 2
This was my thought process Knowthemarket. I’m not sure why they are so interested in Machado with Aguilar at 3B. Machado can want to play SS all he wants but defensive metrics showed in 2018 that after the injuries and such, he’s lost a bit of his range and swagger at short. If he’s not “Johnny Hustle” those plays at short are not going to get made the way that Didi does it. I know Didi is down with TJ and that stinks but go out there and sign a stopgap at short, sign the guy with way more upside in Harper and shop Hicks for a starter. You have to (you can dream if you want Yanks fans) assume that you got the max out of Hicks in 2018. Someone will be interested if they start talking about Hicks and a few prospects. Get a solid arm back. Then you have Severino/Trade for #2/Tanaka/Sabathia and hopefully at some point you can call on Sheffield to step in and help. They just need one more option to push Tanaka back to the 3, Sabathia to the 4 and take some pressure of Severino.
Signing Machado doesn’t give them any of those expendable pieces. Didi will have to prove he’s healthy to be worth anything. Aguilar will still be needed. Torres will still be needed.
Signing Harper, to me, gives the Yankees more options and more upside.
dobsonel
Then that would leave the Yanks without a center fielder.
thefenwayfaithful 2
Bryce can play CF. He spent 63 games there this season. He’s better in right and he’s definitely no Hicks as a CF, but there’s no saying he can’t play Center. And when Jacoby is healthy he gives you a CF option. Frazier spent some time at CF in the minors. To be honest I don’t know much about his defensive abilities there, but I know he’s been used there.
But Machado vs. Didi you’re talking about shortstop. And realistically, a healthy Gregorious is good for 20+ homers and a .280-.290 average. How much of an upgrade is Machado? 10-15 homers and 20 RBIs? And I have to assume a downgrade defensively especially if Machado doesn’t hustle.
Now Hicks vs Bryce could very well be 10-15 homers (maybe 20 if he comes up big again) vs 40-50 homers. Also a downgrade defensively.
The Yankees are built as a go big or go home team and both of these guys are thumpers. I just think Bryce is a bigger upgrade over Hicks then Machado will be over Gregorious when he gets back. Also, then how do you rebuild Gregorious’ value to move him if Machado is at SS and Torres at 2B and Aguilar at 3B? He becomes dead money. That’s not been a good formula.
Just my thoughts. I think you open one small possible hole in CF but sure up SP and make the lineup CRAZY especially because Harper is LEFTY which is key for this lineup’s balance as well. I’m sure a fan of Machado could make an argument the other way, but I just don’t see it.
I’m thinking of this over the span of the deal, not just 2019.
dobsonel
Harper was one of the worst fielders in the league last year. That’s not me saying that, it’s the stats. He was like “Manny” bad.
T_Rexx2
Harper was worse is CF than Manny was at SS. Not saying you couldn’t put him in CF because you probably could and his bat would make up for it but the same can be said of Machado at SS. And if you put Machado at SS you don’t have to trade from your starters to make it work. When Didi comes back late, you move Machado to third and Andujar over to first where he might do a little better anyways and since they really don’t have a great option there… that might work well.
southbeachbully
Why weaken CF? Harper is NOT a CF. If signed, I would hope they stick him in LF.
jolink65
Yeah, that’s an overlooked aspect. Hicks is a Gold Glove caliber defender with a fantastic arm in center. Not sure how the Yankees would replace him defensively if they were to trade him. Ellsbury isn’t a viable starter at this point and neither is Gardner. You can’t put Stanton or Judge in center and Frazier projects as more of a corner outfielder (probably left field). Trade Hicks and they’d be in the market for a center fielder. I don’t see Harper as a permanent center fielder.
martras
Agreed. Anybody recommending Harper over Hicks in CF right now isn’t being realistic.
Harper’s wRC+ over the past 2 years is 145 vs 125 for Hicks, but Hicks is likely a dramatically superior center fielder. Considering the fielding aspect, I’m guessing Hicks would actually produce more WAR in CF than Harper, even with the batting disparity.
timm-2
“When Jacoby gets healthy…..”
He’s going to get healthy?
lovethatdirtyh20
XAB, talented player with head problems.. The attitude tells me he turns into a Great Dane once the ink dries on the paperwork and guaranteed money flows into his account. You’re right to be worried.
VABlitz
Let’s add Harper to that list as well. I want pitching, and if the Yankees must get position players then they better be able to hit for average and not the swing for the fences type of player.
And absolutely no trading Miggy. Besides his defense, he’s the type of player I want more of. With time his defense will improve. Just look at Jeter as a rook, they questioned his defense when he came up as well.
Slevin
Please don’t compare Andujar to Jete.
ddj05
So glad the Red Sox will not be in on Machado or Harper this offseason.
dimitrios in la
They would be smart not to. I’m beginning to question both how many teams will actually make a hard pursuit for them, and whether they’ll actually get what so many scribes are predicting.
JKB 2
Good point Dimitrious. With the huge amount of money and years expected for each of them. There really is only a handful of teams who van afford it.
Its supply and demand. Of the teams that can afford it how many actually have the need? It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
joedirte4life
Gotta save up that money for a $300+ million Cookie Betts deal.
Which is why I think they dont resign Kimbrel either.
But they can lose him as long as they keep their core they will be the favorites at least for another 2 years unless someone makes a lot of crazy good moves.
thetruth 2
They overachieved with that pitching and JD’s BABIP fueled year.
WestCoastSoxFan
That’s fine. We’ll take it!
kidaplus
”
“They overachieved with that pitching and JD’s BABIP fueled year.”
He’s had a higher BABIP than what he had this twice in the last 5 years…. so yeah, no.
InPolesWeTrust
Can you explain how they overachieved with the pitching?
lovethatdirtyh20
Ghost, I doubt it. best sp or close to it in all of baseball. Hyperbolic posts are not open to explanation, just ridicule.
dobsonel
JD has a high BABIP because he is an exceptional hitter who hits the ball extremely hard to all areas of the field. My guess is he will have a BABIP north of 360 for the 4th time in his career.
lovethatdirtyh20
dobsonel….. good info. JD had a BABIP of more than 360 three times? Nice.
Dynasty
BABIP is not a stat you control no matter how good or bad you are. The only exceptions to the .290-.300 BABIP rule are guys like ichiro who were so unusually speedy that they could beat out grounders to first. Don’t discuss BABIP if you don’t know what it is. JD is barely above mediocre in hitting and he happened to have a career year in 2018 which he’ll never come close to again.
Cat Mando
Wait a minute….judging by the comments last off-season I thought 2017 was his career year bolstered by his time in AZ. I distinctly remember a great many people saying signing him would be a mistake and he was a fluke. So which is it…..2017 was a fluke or 2018? inquiring minds want to know. /s
dobsonel
Dynasty, it sounds like you don’t understand BABIP. By your rational, are you saying Tony Gwynn was lucky with a career .341 BABIP over 10,000 plate appearances?
dobsonel
Dynasty, here are JD’s last 5 years of BABIP:
2014 – .389
2015 – .339
2016 – .378
2017 – .327
2018 – .375
You’re right, JD must really have just been lucky 5 years in a row.
dobsonel
Haha Cat, The JD haters can never admit when they are wrong. I’m a die-hard Yankee fan and I can clearly see this is one of the best hitters in the game right now, and it’s not simply luck.
Cat Mando
dobsonel….I’m a Phillies fan for over 5 decades and would be happy to have J.D. on the team bad glove and all. He has produced at the plate from 2014 on.
lovethatdirtyh20
ddjo5…….They are still paying Fenway Fats. and start off around 215-220m. But I’m with you, stay away from those 10 year contracts.
thefenwayfaithful 2
Devers, Bogaerts and Betts pretty well secure that there’s no room for Machado or Harper. Thank goodness.
Even if the Sox were interested in signing a big mega deal this off-season, they’d be much more inclined to hand it to Mookie then to an unknown commodity in my opinion.
sleepyfloyd
The Sox develop OF, why would they need Harper?
Senioreditor
Machado to Philadelphia because no one else will pay the price and Harper back to DC.
SoCalBrave
Harper won’t be back to DC (unfortunately). He will land with the ChiSox
thefenwayfaithful 2
I agree Harper is definitely not going back to DC. Rizzo threw his best offer ownership (I think) was going to allow as a final hope to sign him. I don’t think this was JUST an offer to appease the fans and say “we tried”, but that was definitely in the back of their minds. No one can say they didn’t try. 10 years and $300 million is still more than 22-23 teams are going to offer. I think it set Harper up really well for his payday too.
In the end, its probably for the best for both Harper and DC. A new town with new expectations could help bring Harper to the next level. I also think for Harper, Philly is his worst option. I think he needs a team of guys who know how to go win, not a bunch of prospects where he’s got to become the veteran mentor and the heart of the lineup. He will perform up to contract numbers much better in a lineup like the Yankees where he’s surrounded by power bats and a winning atmosphere. Phillies fans have a ton to be excited about. Great team coming together there and I’m seeing some of the same sparks we saw 10 years ago. But they still have to shake that “losingest team in sports history” persona which is something I think will eat at Harper in the bad years. And in a 10+ year deal there’s going to be some bad years.
greatd
Wonder where he’ll actually land now, with all the criticisms surrounding him?
allweatherfan
Independent league?
thefenwayfaithful 2
While I know this was a joke (and what I’m about to say isn’t going to happen), I’d love to see the league send a message to Machado.
No “Johnny Hustle”? Well take a 1-year deal now and rethink that statement.
Again, never going to happen. Machado is a generational type of talent and he will get signed. Machado’s comments and actions really irked me. I didn’t like Cano when he played with little effort at times in NY, but Machado has taken that nonchalant attitude to the next level and vocally said he doesn’t care. That’s a huge red flag to me.
And then the fact that he’s gone out intentionally to hurt guys? If I’m the Yankees, that’s drama that young team doesn’t need. But it would be a bit comical to see “Manny Being Manny” happen in pinstripes. Just a different Manny.
timm-2
I liked Hal’s message. It was what is needed to be said.
That said if “Manny being Manny” means we get the OTHER Manny’s production … I’ll take it.
martras
I’d be awfully concerned about Machado’s character if I were a GM. That’s really going to be the big factor in the Machado contract.
Will a guy who doesn’t care about anything other than himself be a good long term investment? Will he stop putting in the effort to keep himself playing at the highest level as soon as that dump truck of cash shows up at his door? Maybe he decides to go back to chicken nuggets and large fries and eat his way off the field. Machado had enormous incentives to keep his act as clean as possible and it wasn’t enough.
GMs are going to have to gauge whether or not Machado is just another Manny being Manny or whether or not he’s an unmotivated, uncaring guy just looking to hold it together enough to get that big payday.
z3rogs
Have to take issue with the phrase “Machado is a generational type of talent”. Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan were generational talents according to my understanding of the term. Players who were clearly the best in their sports for most of their careers. Players who only come around once in a generation, or every 20 years or so. Machado is a stud, but not the best player in baseball at any point in his career to this point.
SoCalBrave
Philadelphia
billysbballz
Yanks will sign Machado abs trade Andujar for Kluber.
lovethatdirtyh20
Billy, hope so. Sox hit Kluber and Miggy is going to be a great hitter. Get him out of NY already.
Dynasty
Yankee fan here. Miggy is not going to be a great hitter. He had a career year just like JD and will never do this again. Kluber is a top of the line pitcher.
lovethatdirtyh20
dynasty, I don’t have a crystal ball so you could be right on Miggy not being a good hitter in the future. But I do see a remarkably quick bat which imo will make him a good hitter.
If NY trades him for Kluber, I’m happy. Seems like we both like that trade but for different reasons.
southbeachbully
You make ZERO sense. What reason do you have to think that Andujar can’t improve on his offense, or even defense for that matter, or that JD will regress too? Just because you say so?
dobsonel
Because Dynasty is a troll and facts or reality don’t matter.
baseball1600
Glad the Giants aren’t even thinking about Machado. Harper is the only player they would sign for a splash, but I’m hoping they just retool. Still think Harper is probably going to end up being the path they take, though. It just makes sense judging by the surrounding factors that are going on right now. They need to be relevant again, and fast, because the Warriors are moving next door.
xabial
SF arent signing Harper or Machado. Living in Lala land
baseball1600
Yeah, you really have me convinced. Guess I’ll completely change my opinion now.
em650r
Yeah that Analytics GM will sign some scapes for the next few years
baseball1600
I understand why people disagree with me. Zaidi isn’t known to give out big contracts. I understand why people would think that they wouldn’t be in the running, but for a decision on signing a guy like Harper, it’s going to be mainly up to Baer and co. And from what I’ve read, they seem to be split 50/50 on whether to fully pursue Harper or not. I think it’s going to eventually happen, others may not. I’m completely for other people’s opinions, as long as they have an actual argument other than “you’re living in Lala land.”
InPolesWeTrust
Do you feel that with your current roster make up and with the train of thought that Zaidi could trade Madison and anyone else would make the Giants an attractive place to play? The Warriors is an interesting point but the Giants are too far behind with too many holes to make Harper feel that being a giant for 10 years is going to be as glorious as you scribed.
pustule bosey
i think it depends on what happens with bum as to how far back they are. If they trade him somewhere then you really ought not to pursue Harper because you have weakened your staff and still have a lot of holes to fill, if you either sign a new contract or decide to wait and see till the deadline then maybe you break the bank a little and find the right scrubs or mid level guys to fill in the holes. personally i don’t think going for Harper makes sense either way, i feel like the giants don’t need an albatross contract, but i am not ther one running things
cards81
Giants have plenty of money…signing Harper wouldn’t be much for them…make some trades and they could easily reverse their situation within 2-3 years with the money they have…if they could convince Harper I could easily see him signing there as long as they pay him the most
sleepyfloyd
The argument is you’re a complete moron
Slevin
Where’s that other nut that lives across the street from @baseball1600 in “Lala land”? The “Giants can pursue” Harper all they want, that certainly doesn’t mean Harper-Boras bat an eyelash their way.
unpaidobserver
From the past few offseasons, signing Harper and standing pat in other areas is exactly the sort of thing they would do. Puts the casual fan in the seats without the necessity of building a winning ballclub.
sleepyfloyd
You are an idiot. The Giants are doing a complete rebuild, not retool, no matter what they PR wise.
You don’t retool with a bottom feeder farm system and a crappy 25 man roster.
And no young star, Machado or Harper, is going to go waste their 25-30 prime years on a team 5 years from being a contender.
What a moron.
sleepyfloyd
That was to 1600
bbatardo
Yankees traded for and then resigned Chapman. Don’t think character is at the top of their list in rating players lol
baseballpun
Apparently “hustle” is more important than domestic abuse.
Adam6710
Steinbrenner was specifically referencing their character where it related to baseball. Do try to keep up, I know it’s touch with just those two brain cells.
bbatardo
Actually he didn’t, he said “some players have already been ruled out by the Yankees because the organization doesn’t feel they’d handle playing in New York well.” Nice try though!
justin-turner overdrive
Ding ding ding – Yankees are just the worst. Dumb “team rules” no other team has, and they didn’t even have in the 70s when they won mad titles. Run by total creeps, worst fanbase (made up of tons of racist cops) in MLB. Ugh. I hope they never win a title ever again.
Slevin
You need to get help with that unhealthy obsession on, everything Yanks. Take in a game of a legitimate sports franchise, and not the A’s.
mike156
Way to overgeneralize….
Rest and medication might help?
imgman09
Please,Manny be Manny somewhere else,Japan I can only dream
xabial
Big difference; Chapman plays hard.
How hard? He was abused in the playoffs, and still suited up for the Maddon abuse, not telling him
baseballpun
Won’t play at all if he’s suspended again.
ammiel
surely the giants are at least considering non-tendering Panik, meaning Machado could be a huge option
baseball1600
They are most likely going to place their chips in Harper. Hanson is young and has proven he’s able to do a good job at second. The only giants OF prospect right now that looks promising is Shaw, but he’s all bat no glove and hits from the left side.
Slevin
Now you’re just babbling.
gilgunderson
So Machado would accept a move to 2B? Or is 3-time Gold Glove-winning SS Brandon Crawford going to make the switch?
Westkycubs
As a Cubs fan I will say the Sox did good in extending Renteria. The fact that Machado doesn’t fit there is a good thing.
jakec77
Realistically the only difference between Machado and more than half the league when it comes to hustling to first is that he was stupid enough to tell the truth.
Unless Machado (and Harper) ends up coming in a lot cheaper than has been rumored, I wouldn’t touch either one, and I really don’t see value in the Yankees doing it. Yes, the payroll is “low” (for the Yankees) right now, but 3-5 years from now all the younger players will have to get paid, so you want $60-70 million tied up annually in Machado and Stanton?
Better to use the extra money on pitching, either on free agents or by picking up a bad, shorter term contract as part of a trade for a front line starter.
Ejemp2006
This is Cashman’s biggest test, one that many Yankee great GMs failed. Can he be patient and stay the course when the media harangues him for “losing out” on Harper and Machado?
He could fill obvious gaps and get two decent starters and two decent relievers for the price of one of these overrated guys.
delete
Do you know how much open payroll the Yankees have? They can do all of the above, and it looks like that’s the plan
lovethatdirtyh20
Beis, after Hank and Hal watched the Duckboat parade, anything is possible with NY. The Yankee vault has been closed for 3 years. Watch out.
lovethatdirtyh20
Jake, I’d rather see NY sign Machado vs pitching. #KeepSonny
stubby66
I agree with you and i dont even like the Yankees lol. This is what bothers me is these guys feel they are entitled to this money and yet they dont have to do half the things that players went through before like what Jackie Robinson went through or how about all the wars that others went to and delayed their careers. As fans i think all we ask is that careers with putting their lives on the line. Fans work hard for their money and all we ask from these men now a days is play right( not dirty ) and hustle. In the last few years it’s like you want me to play for you then you need to kiss my butt and beg me.
lovethatdirtyh20
Stubby, its a tough choice between billionaire owners and lazy arse players. One side is as bad as the other.
About the only 10 year contract I remember working out was Jeters 10/189. ARod maybe but NY ownership stepped in and gave him more years which they paid for in more ways than one..
I’d stay away from the long term contracts of 7 years or more. Once players aren’t playing for that next big contract? They go downhill quick
stubby66
No I agree and the only thing I can say is people can’t seem to hate owners for being good business men along with making the money they did in order to buy the teams either. but now that a completely different subject. I guess I dont know what would be the best solution either
sleepyfloyd
You also have the right not to watch. Funny how fans think they dictate the games. Just don’t go to games.
Like when a bad song plays on the radio. Change the channel and stop b€>%ing
Ejemp2006
Machado has the most natural talent in the majors. Trout is better by mile but Trout also has an insane work ethic which separates him from the likes of Machado. With that being said, I don’t think Machado will age well because he isn’t doing the right foundational fitness work to help him overcome the grinding 162 game schedule after youthful gifts aren’t enough.
Machado, 7 years, 142 million. That would be about right.
Slevin
None of this you could possibly know anything about!
BlueSkyLA
Here is the comprehensive list of the teams that don’t find Machado’s “Johnny Hustle” remark troubling:
⚾The Heater from Van Meter⚾
Talkin’ bout.
Harper 10 years for $315 million
Machado 8 years for $280 million
xabial
Now you are someone I’d enjoy talking baseball with.
I like those prices. (Just not Machado) Price is right 🙂
Slevin
Add Corbin 18-20 a year at those prices and the Yanks would be set.
sasafrass81
I agree, I was thinking maybe 320-330 range just for his AAV to be up there. I had Machado in the 250-260 range, but I think you’re right on the range.
Kenleyfornia74
The Rays scammed Longoria onto SF like a timeshare and somehow got a young lottery ticket in Arroyo too. This is why Farhan is in charge now
Slevin
But, but they’re gonna sign Harper for 350-400 million.
mrnatewalter
Seeing what the ownership is doing to get the city to pay for their stadium, scamming people might be Tampa Bay’s modus operandi.
JayRyder
Machado – 11 Years 410 Million. Phillies … Opt Out after four, six, and seven. With two option years attached towards 13 years total…….
Palmerpark
Let someone else sign the guy Hal, why would you want a guy that says “Hustling is not my cup of tea” it’s all about Manny and nothing to do with team…. could have ended a career by stepping on his Achilles….NO HAL NO NO NO.
its_happening
Commissioner Manfred’s looking into adding an orange safety base at first. MLBPA will vote on it next week.
All kidding aside, let’s rundown Machado’s list of accomplishments:
– Threw a helmet at the direction of Josh Donaldson after being tagged
– Admits he’s not down with hustling
– Probably stepped on Aguilar’s foot on purpose
– Probably stepped on Pearce’s foot a week later
– Will throw a hissy fit if he’s forced to play 3B rather than SS
If this doesn’t scream $300+ million dollars for 10 years, I don’t know what will convince you. What a warrior.
justin-turner overdrive
You had some valid points until
“Will throw a hissy fit if he’s forced to play 3B rather than SS”
This has never happened before and will never happen. Manny knows about defensive metrics and they show him as a gold glove 3B and an average SS. His preference is SS but he said repeatedly he will play 3B if the money is right.
You know who threw a hissy fit when asked to move over for a better defender at SS? Derek Jeter.
its_happening
If you thought the first 4 points were valid, the 5th point is not far behind.
Example: If the Oakland A’s can’t play with proper fundamentals, they will lose in October.
See, that was simple.
Machado will also say he wants to win. If he’s not much of a hustler, doubt he has the same desire to win as the guy that will run through a brick wall. But if you’d like to take his word for the 3B/SS situation that’s your perogative. He wants to play SS. Read between the lines.
As for Jeter….well, next time you can show more guts by telling Yankees fan that Derek Jeter could have won more than 5 rings if he moved off shortstop. You didn’t. So your comment was petty and a throwaway.
justin-turner overdrive
How can everyone suddenly forget that A-rod pretty much always did that same kinda stuff before the Yankees got him, and it “sold” back then – why wouldn’t it now?
Slevin
Get some help!
Jimmie Foxx
As an Oriole fan, Machado was one guy I didn’t mind seeing traded. All the talent in the world, but has always looked like he wasnt giving his all. It has gotten worse as his ego got bigger. Imagine how hard he’ll play once he has $300+ million in his pocket. I think any team that signs him will regret it fairly quickly.
nitemare
Machado is a grade A…..POS. do not sign him Yankees at all
Gordon Lightfoot
Machado will sign somewhere low pressure. He’ll find a spot to hide.
qturner
Don’t care where Manny signs. Aguilar “appears” to have left his foot on bag after taking throw. I was taught to pull foot after catch to avoid being stepped on. So was Jesus. You’d have to ask him why he didn’t pull foot since it wasn’t that close. I think it was a statement by both players. No one was injured. It was just baseball. Good luck to Manny and Jesus.
Frank R
Yanks don’t need another A rod! Slide Torres over to short, pick up Kinsler for second, trade for Goldschmidt for first, keep Voit for DH, pick up Murphy for bench/DH, Corbin, Kluber, Miller.. Good luck Sox!!
Slevin
Who do they trade to get Kluber and Goldschmidt?
Rickeo02
Thats exactly what the Yankees need!!
Another rh power bat that hits .184 in the playoffs
Hack Wilson
Yankees need an answer to Chris Sale furgetadoutit… Giants need an answer to the exploding homeless population… White Sox have fans that attend games to tailgate… All is well
swanhenge
Glad to see this post has dredged up some happy feelings and useful comments.
All I’ll say is I’m not a fan of MM for many of the same reasons listed here. I see any long term contract will be pocked w injuries and other elements that will keep him off the field. I’m happy BOS isn’t attached to either him or Harper.
martras
Stanton’s contract was a lame duck gimmick for an owner trying to keep fans and investors distracted while the team was sold. Stanton was signed by an owner who didn’t care how large the contract was by a player who hated the team he signed with and Stanton was likely told he’d probably be traded to a deep pockets team after the sale.
Harper isn’t accepting a contract from a team he doesn’t want to play for and from an owner who doesn’t care about the cost of the contract. I expect Harper’s ultimate contract to look something like what the Nationals already offered or less. Harper plays in a discounted position in the field where he’s probably a dead average or below fielder. On top of that, his bat is prone to high peaks and low valleys so there’s going to be heightened concerns about potential decline. Harper is going to have to trade years for AAV.
kershawsgrandma22
Have the Yankees considered making Stanton a 1st basemen? Maybe that’s a dumb idea, but it seems like he’s built perfect for it and they’ve been pretty weak at that position. It would also open a spot for Frazier, it to go get Harper
its_happening
I suggested Stanton to 1B weeks ago. He’s definitely built for it and it counters the potential for Voit to fall off.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Stanton is a perfectly adequate LF’er. Moving him to first base is a terrible waste of resources which will be better used on starting pitching. If they REALLY want a 1B, sign Josh Donaldson to a much shorter deal. I wouldn’t and will take my chances with Bird/Voit.
dobsonel
Stanton is a liability in LF at Yankee Stadium. There is way too much ground to cover.
kershawsgrandma22
I’m just saying the Yankees have enough outfielders. They could also move Stanton to 1st and sign Harper, then trade an outfielder for pitching
Dodgerblog
Nobody wants to mention the Dodgers. He ain’t going anywhere
kershawsgrandma22
Where would he play?
Dodgerblog
Seager isn’t a given. Either could move to second base