Yankees: Manny Machado may have hurt his chances of becoming a Bomber

Four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, Manny Machado, was criticized for not hustling down the first base line. His response for not doing so was cringeworthy, and may not help his case for playing for the Yankees.

Manny Machado was traded from the Orioles to the Dodgers in a blockbuster trade that many assumed would be nothing more than a three-month rental. With the help of Machado’s stellar abilities, the Dodgers’ are now in the ALCS. Yet, something happened in Game 3 of the ALCS which may have seriously hurt his chances of ever playing for the Yankees.

The video of Machado loafing down the first base line on a ground-out ball was bad enough. However, it’s what transpired after that is even worse. Machado’s response towards the criticism, saying hustle isn’t his “cup of tea” and he’s never going to be Johnny Hustle is awful, especially for a 26-year-old looking for a massive payday in free agency.

I’m sure this will go over well with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Co — NOT! More than a few eyebrows are now raised following Machado’s selfish comments.

Speaking to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Machado addressed his inability to change.

"“Obviously I’m not going to change, I’m not the type of player that’s going to be ‘Johnny Hustle,’ and run down the line and slide to first base and … you know, whatever can happen. That’s just not my personality, that’s not my cup of tea, that’s not who I am.“Should I have run on that pitch? Yeah … but I didn’t and I gotta pay the consequences for it. It does look bad. It looks terrible. I look back at the video and I’m like, ‘Woah, what was I doing?’ You know, just the emotions of the game … I’m the type of player that has stayed in the zone, I’m playing and I’m just in the zone.”“Should I have given it a little more effort? One hundred percent. (It’s) my fault like always, I mean that’s just my mentality when I’m in the game. (There are) things that you learn, things that you gotta change. I’ve tried changing it for eight years and I still can’t figure it out but, one of these days I will.”"

Even an admission of guilt doesn’t help Machado with the massive payday he is likely seeking, and I highly doubt Cashman, manager Aaron Boone, or the rest of the team want someone with Machado’s attitude in the clubhouse.

It’s a poison and is definitely not worth Machado’s asking price. With the attitude and mentality of Gary Sanchez constantly under scrutiny, would the Yanks add a second player with a questionable work ethic?

What caught my eye was when Machado said: “It’s my fault, like always.” He’s being petty, and it comes off as if he doesn’t care about his teammates.

I’d rather have the hungry budding star that is Gleyber Torres replace Didi Gregorius at shortstop while Dir Didi undergoes Tommy John surgery. For the 2018 season, Torres slashed .271/.340/.480 with 24 home runs, 77 RBIs and 117 hits.