Yankees Rumors: The Bombers are the front-runners for Manny Machado

The Yankees are considered to be one of the favorites to sign four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, Manny Machado this offseason.

The YES Network reports that the Yankees are front-runners to sign four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, Manny Machado in the offseason. I’m not so pleased about this, as you have all seen, I recently expressed my displeasure about the Bombers picking up Machado in free agency.

Per YesNetwork.com:

“There are only a few teams willing to spend at least $300 million for the mercurial star,” Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote Thursday. “The New York Yankees are the front-runners, while the Philadelphia Phillies also plan to be in the bidding.”

The Bombers don’t really need Machado, who admits that hustling isn’t his “cup of tea”, and he will never be Johnny Hustle. There are also questions about whether or not he’ll fit well in the Bronx considering how he’s handled the spotlight this postseason with the way he’s represented himself on the field. He could be a negative influence towards the younger players in the clubhouse.

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However, I would rather take Machado than 26-year-old six-time All-Star and 2015 MVP, Bryce Harper, who is a seeking a 10-year, $350 million deal. In 2018, Harper slashed .249/.393/.496 while hitting 34 home runs and 100 RBIs.

Although this season was considered a down-year for Harper, a $35 million AAV is an excessive amount of money. The statistics are nice, but Harper’s attitude isn’t so nice.

If the Yanks insist on picking up Machado, obviously we can’t say much. They’re now below the under the $197 million luxury tax threshold which means they have a lot of money on who they would like to pick up in free agency, without worrying about hitting penalty fees.

In the 2018 regular season, Manny hit .297/.366/.487 with 37 home runs and 107 RBIs, which is great and the Yankees would gladly welcome someone with those statistics to their lineup. I’m just hoping if he does indeed become a Yankee, he adjusts his attitude on and off the field.

The Yankees focus should be on upgrading their starting rotation. Hopefully, they make a big splash in that area or a move for Machado could be pointless. Let’s see what will happen this offseason, it will be interesting to watch it unfold. That’s for sure.