Yankees Need to Target Manny Machado, Not Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper has long been the prized free agent in the 2018 free agent class, but Manny Machado is quickly changing people’s minds. If the progression and consistency of the young star continue, the Yankees need to do whatever it takes to bring Machado to the Bronx.

Ok, so maybe you haven’t gotten into the World Baseball Classic, or even like the idea of it. But, if you’re not watching what Manny Machado is doing right now you must not like baseball — or the Yankees.

I might even go a step further and question your Yankees loyalty for not watching a potential

agent that has known to have been linked to the Bronx Bombers. What Machado is doing is a surprise to no one, but is further cementing his potential as the brightest young talent in MLB.

Machado has undoubtedly been MVP in this tournament — sorry Yadier Molina. Machado was already being talked about as the best player in the 2017 WBC, but the play he made against Venezuela (in foul territory, throwing across his body) was something out of MLB the Show. No human could do that, and especially not Chase Headley. 

Not to call Bryce Harper a bad teammate, and sure it could be all Jonathan Papelbon‘s fault, but I’ve never seen one of Machado’s teammates try to choke him.

Brian Cashman is watching the WBC like the rest of the world — if only to ensure the health of his players. What Cashman didn’t expect to see was how much better Machado is then all of our expectations. Forget the fact Machado could be the best third basemen in the AL, how would you feel about a Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird, Manny Machado big three in the prime of their careers for years to come in the Bronx?

A configuration with Machado in-fold makes more sense than a Bryce Harper featured big three. Harper is coming off a terrible 2016 which saw his worst batting average of his career. Hitting an unimpressive .243 while cutting his home run production almost in half with a modest 24, was far from his MVP campaign of 2015.

In five seasons, Machado has had 695+ at-bats three times. The most at-bats Bryce Harper has ever had is 654, and only twice reached over 600 plate appearances in his career. Harper has hit over 30 home

only once, while Machado has done it each of the last two seasons.

Yankees Dollars Make Sense

Not everything when looking at potential free agent is about the money and years. A player’s personality and existence within a team and clubhouse can

contribute more to a franchise than stats alone. And not to call Harper a bad teammate, and sure it could be all Jonathan Papelbon’s fault, but I’ve never seen one of Machado’s teammates try to choke him.

It is still baseball, however, and even without a salary cap, money always matters. After 2017, the contracts of CC Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez finally come off the payroll. Going into the 2018 offseason, the Yankees will be about $46 million lighter. 

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Yankee brass has already said the current payroll should not be exceeded, but it may be matched.

the Yankees could have up to that $46 million to spend in free agency. To those that call for both Machado and Harper, do you really think you can get them together for less than $60 million combined? Quick answer, no.

birthday. The Yankees and Machado could find

in a great situation. The days of the 10-year contracts are a thing of the past for the Yankees, ask

Robinson Cano

. If you’re looking for 10-year contracts, head south to Florida or out west, to Seattle.

Next: Red Sox Concerned About Yankees

When it comes to a deal that makes sense, the Yankees should gladly overpay for Machado. His skill set is a needed acquisition, but if Cashman were to add money to the yearly value of the contract, Machado would be much more inclined to take fewer years. A six or seven-year deal would leave Manny in his early 30’s,

for another contract, while also leaving the Yankees flexibility in handling an aging veteran.