Orioles infielder Manny Machado “wants to be a Yankee and the feeling is mutual,” Bob Nightengale of USA Today writes. The Yankees were among the teams that tried to trade for Machado over the winter, so it’s no surprise that they’re continuing to eye him a year before he hits free agency. Regarding offseason trade rumors, Machado said, “Thank God nothing went down and I was able to come back, and see my guys that I’ve been with for seven years.” Although the 25-year-old is content to be an Oriole for now, it seems highly unlikely he’ll remain with them past this year, considering the massive contract he’d land on the open market. And while the longtime third baseman plans to spend the rest of his career at shortstop, where New York has a quality starter in Didi Gregorius, the Yankees would find spots for both of them, Nightengale suggests.
More from the American League…
- The Indians announced Friday that right-hander Danny Salazar “experienced an onset of right shoulder rotator cuff inflammation” last month during his offseason throwing program. The 28-year-old is “a couple weeks” behind the rest of the pitchers in Indians camp, per the announcement, though he has at least resumed throwing. It certainly doesn’t appear as if Salazar is presently dealing with a major injury, but the shoulder trouble isn’t entirely insignificant. Salazar missed roughly six weeks of the 2017 season due to shoulder troubles, and he has a history of right elbow issues as well. He’s also seen his name pop up in occasional trade speculation, most frequently being linked to the Brewers, though one would imagine that ongoing shoulder issues would temper some of the interest that other clubs may have in Salazar.There’s not yet any indication that Opening Day would be in jeopardy for Salazar, whom the Indians have penciled into a rotation spot alongside Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer. Josh Tomlin and Mike Clevinger are both on hand as options for the fifth spot. Injuries limited Salazar to just 103 innings last season, during which time he posted a 4.28 ERA with a gaudy 12.7 K/9 mark against 3.8 BB/9.
- Before he joined the Phillies on a three-year, $60MM contract in November, longtime Indians first baseman Carlos Santana proposed a five-year, $75MM deal to Cleveland, the player told Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com. However, “the Tribe was never seriously engaged with him at all this winter,” Castrovince tweets. Shortly after Santana left the Indians, they added replacement Yonder Alonso on a much cheaper pact (two years, $16MM).
- Texas had interest in re-signing Andrew Cashner before he accepted Baltimore’s two-year, $16MM guarantee Thursday, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels confirmed to TR Sullivan of MLB.com. However, not only did the Orioles make Cashner a better offer, but it seems he wouldn’t have been a lock to remain a starter with the Rangers. “We talked to him and gave him a range of what we were thinking,” Daniels said. “He got a better deal. We even asked him if he would pitch in the bullpen, but he got a commitment to start, a multi-year deal, a good deal from Baltimore.” In 2017, his only year with the Rangers, Cashner paced their starters in ERA (3.40) and finished second in innings (166 2/3), though his success came in spite of a league-worst K/BB ratio (1.34).
Steve Adams contributed to this post.
You sure the feeling’s mutual with the Yanks?
Those prospects
Kinda don’t get what your saying here xabial. Is it prospects in a proposed trade or how they feel about him being a Yankee?
Miguel being great in that sip of coffee, foreshadows a great 2018, which makes machado a luxury, much like Harper is now (after Stanton acquisition)
But a lot has to go right, and his glove from all indications— while improving— is not great.
I believe Miguel 3B job is his to lose, and Yanks will give him first crack at if. If he performs, could spell the end for Machado pursuit. Their prospects will get their chance to prove.
Well if Andujar works out at 3b, then what if the yanks were to trade Didi and prospects for Machado?
Huh? No.
Andujar wont be anywhere near the player machado is and you can take that to the bank. He’s not going to force the Yankees to not get Machado I can assure you that.
And you know this because….?
Because machado is one of best at his position and andujar is good but not elite prospect. Elite major leaguers don’t grow on trees.
Most likely he was spinning it that he was happy he had one more spring with his current teammates. Still can’t see Baltimore making a major trade with the Yankees unless it included Ellsbury and a MASSIVE haul that also included Frazier, Sheffield AND Adams. The trade would be too much for NY to consider but nothing else works that would keep them under the tax threshold this year. The penalties for next year (draft and pool money) are more palatable. I’d be shocked at this point for either the Yanks or Dodgers to exceed the threshold this year.
Why would the Orioles want Ellsbury? Be happy to trade Machado to the Yankees for Torres and Montgomery though.
Zero chance Torres goes in any deal.
You mean like how there was zero chance he would be traded for a reliever who was 3 months from free agency?
Stop applying the fallacy of “Let’s assume every team is in a 108 year drought, with a consensus top prospect in baseball, blocked for the next 7 years”
Many variables come into play. Why do you think 2B Castro was shipped for Giancarlo? Or Headley dumped to save $13M under the tax? (Along Mitchell)
So Yanks can roll out scrubs at 2B and 3B? Headley’s Streaky as they come and Castro’s .300/.338/.454 line — due palatable $10.857 million in 2018, $11.857 in 2019, with $16 million 2020 club option ($1M buyout)
It was a calculated move on Cashman’s part dealing from a position of strength— even if Castro’s defense wasn’t his strong point the bat, contract, premium position and consensus MLB top prospect (Torres) ready to fill in for Castro, more than made up.
No two situations are the same. Sometimes these things work themselevs out, and it would be in the Yanks’ best interest to ses if Gleyber is the real deal, the media keeps hypong him up to be- and Miguel’s glove playing in bigs- if bat translates as expected.
Castro’s 11 million is above current market value as we’ve seen this offseason. Marlins can’t dump on him on another team. He wasn’t traded for Torres to come up. They cleared an overpaid player out of the way to give them payroll flexibility and potentially have Torres play.
Most likely he was spinning it that he was happy he had one more spring with his current teammates. Still can’t see Baltimore making a major trade with the Yankees unless it included Ellsbury and a MASSIVE haul that also included Frazier, Sheffield AND Adams. The trade would be too much for NY to consider but nothing else works that would keep them under the tax threshold this year. The penalties for next year (draft and pool money) are more palatable. I’d be shocked at this point for either the Yanks or Dodgers to exceed the threshold this year. The Dodgers don’t need him this year so he probably at most gets traded for minimal return in July and the Yankees sign him next February after no one offers him the 20 year, $50m per contract. The first billion dollar contract becomes next year’s target…
In 5 games, 7 At bats, Miguel Andujar had a .571 BA, with 4 RBI, 2 doubles, 1 Stolen base.
No way he keeps up that torrid pace, but I like what I’m seeing so far from Yankees’ regular third baseman, 2018
Yankees don’t have a regular at third yet. Spring training just began and who knows what they still might do…
True. I’m just a big believer in Miguel, based on his 5 games w/ NYY in 2017.
The guy hit .315/.352/.498 with 16 homers and 82 RBI in 125 games between Double A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre, last year.
The stage has been set. He’s their top 3B prospect, and while the starting job isn’t guaranteed out of Spring Training..It’d be extremely disappointing if Danny Espinosa got it over him.. IMHO wouldn’t you agree? Would bring back Stephen Drew vibes… Yankees version, not Nats version) They didn’t have anybody better? Lol But I digress… let the kids play…
It all depends on something else falling in their lap. If they were going to exceed the threshold they would have resigned Frazier. Not comparing the players just the contract cost for this season. Things change if they find a way to move Ellsbury and he’s agreeable.
1. Andujar is not guaranteed to make the team like you said.
2. They have been rumored to be in on signing one or two cheap vets.
3. Espinosa has an excellent glove and just maybe he can return to a few years ago at the plate.
4. Finally there’s Wade who’s gonna compete…
Future hall of fame numbers.
I’ll take Hall of very good.
You make the Hall of fame hitting ball 3 times out of every 10 At-bats. This is very difficult game ^^
Seriously? You like what you saw in 7 ABs?!? Andujar will
Never be Machado. Manny is a 25 year old monster. He will be the Yankees 3B or SS for the next 10 years.
Machado will always be better than Andujar.
I just want to give the kids a chance to prove themselves, before trading farm / offering ~$400M
I’m superstitious. If 7AB he had .571/.625/.857 batting line with 4 RBI, 2 Doubles, 1 Stolen Base (1BB 0K) I’d say give him an extended look— even with a poor spring training. His Bat’s MLB ready. It’s his Defense that’s kept him from the bigs—to this point, but Def has come a long way.
Actually I think the Yankees are hoping for better than a 279 BA over his first 6 years. Not sure what purpose it would serve dumping any prospects for Machado. He wants to go next year but I think they are better off trying to sign Kershaw and Dallas K. I’m not seeing the Superman in Machado for big money. Would rather have a crazy rotation.
Yes, but if they talk bout it in the press is equaling tampering.
I do feel The Yankees still want Andujar to be a large cog for their future, and want him to be their long term solution at third, I think they want to give him a little more time in the minors, and head into 2019 with an infield consisting of Andujar, Torryes, Gregorious, and Bird.
Idk why Baltimore doesn’t just trade him. He wants to go to New York and outside of maybe the White Sox you won’t get a better offer from anyone else.
Because for some reason they are trying to compete and trading machado to a division rival doesn’t exactly help that front unless the return is just as good and mlb ready.
The Yankees don’t need Machado this year. Cashman has all the leverage and when he has the leverage you don’t walk away with much in a deal.
Will you feel the same if they trade him to Cleveland or Boston? He could be the piece that puts those teams in the series and keeps the Yankees out.
Good point. Also don’t see either of those teams giving Baltimore the package they crave for a guy who won’t sign an extension and clearly wants to be a Yankee. No one wants that egg on their face.
He’s still a free agent at the end of the year and if he wants to be Yankee then who he plays for in 2018 won’t make a difference.
Remember all of those stories last year about a certain Japaneese pitcher who wanted to be a Yankee who is now an Angel.
Don’t fool yourself. Machado is a gigantic upgrade over a rookie. Either andujar or Torres won’t be half the player machado is this year. You’re over estimating their leverage.
Because they are delusional and think they can actually compete this year. Yankees and Red Sox are both way better. The best thing for them would be for them to completely fall apart early and be out of it completely by the deadline. If that dosen’t happen they possibly make the mistake of hanging onto Machado, finish third in the division, and be left battling it out for the second wild card spot.
Why would the White Sox trade for Machado!? To ensure they stay 4th in the division over the Tigers!?
He’s never actually stated he wants to play in NY, likes the city or anything of that nature. The poster is ad lib’ing an interview in spring training. NY wasn’t mentioned at all although it is a logical landing place for him next year for the salary he will command. Baltimore did try to trade him but determined it’s not worth giving him up for 1 spot starter/long relief arm or a decent prospect from the cubs. His talent should be at least 2-3 top 10 prospects or ml unproven players with high ceilings. NY got 4 prospects for 2 months of Chapman. Why wouldn’t Balitmore settle for less especially when his bat could make a team’s run in the fall and demand could be higher.
Redsox should not bother playing this or next yr just give it to the NYY. What dreaming Redsox fan thought Machado would want to play anyplace other than NY?4
Then they should just fold the franchise.
Mookie will be their right fielder in a couple yrs, ala Ellsbury
Try harder
Machado is an ass. Remember a few years ago when he tried to fight Josh Donaldson because Donaldson tagged him “too hard.” Then he threw his bat at Donaldson a game later? And while I don’t think he intentionally tried to hurt Pedroia, fact is he slid high enough to catch his knee. Last but not least, he used to train with and talk about how much he idolized A-Rod, another famous a**hole.
So yes, you’re right, he deserves to be on the Yankees.
I ordered you the Camembert with that vintage whine!
that was an awesome retort sir. i salute thee.
Don’t brie an ass.
Hey Heston…you deserve to be a mets fan.
How much would the yanks owe per season just to Stanton, Judge and Machado if they sign him?
Do you think they care
Do you know they won’t?
They can handle it
Judge is still team-controlled for another handful of years and isn’t even arb-eligible yet. So he doesn’t factor in as a big finiancial commitment as of yet. Stanton, obviously, has a behemoth contract and Machado looks to match a similarly behemoth contract next offseason, especially if he returns to his pre-2017 form. Just Stanton and Machado alone would be close to matching a small market team’s payroll.
He’s trolling
I wish they didn’t trade for Stanton. Would rather Frazier be an everyday OF for the Yanks with Judge and either Gardner or Hicks.
Does Nightengale have a quote he wants to share?? Cause the interview Manny did with Kubatko he said several times “thank god” I didn’t get traded. Sounded like more than lol service. I think he’s a goner, but if you want to start these rumors show me some quotes at least…
The feeling in Baltimore for years has been he had pinstripes waiting for him. This isn’t new. Machado would never openly state he wanted to go anywhere. That would turn a clubhouse against him. He is gone. He will be a Yankee. Hopefully for oriole fans their owner doesn’t lose him for nothing.
Marketing and merchandising will more than be enough to pay these guys. Yanks will reset the tax next year and be ready to spend.
I’m sure of the choice between FA’s to be: Harper or Machado it’s Machado that fits the Yankees roster needs better. I’m just not as sure as some that he will be a Yankee. I think a lot will depend how Miguel Andujar handles 3B this year when he will certainly get his chance. I don’t mean to imply that he will be Machado’s equal just that he may win the job and the hearts of the Yankees.
As for being able to afford Machado even with their 2019 commitments to: Stanton, Tanaka, Ellsbury and Chapman their other “high priced” commitments and remain under the $206MM CBT threshold next year it’s doable since guys like: Judge, Severino, Sanchez, Montgomery and yes Gleyber Torres are all pre-arb players in 2019. And with Sabathia’s, Robertson’s and Gardner’s contracts coming off the books they should have room for Machado.
The prospects and pre-arb players make a Machado signing possible.
The Yankees don’t care about the tax next year. It’s just this year to reset the penalty
My point was and is they can still stay under it regardless. Haven’t you been paying attention Hal Steinbrenner has said may times that he doesn’t see a need for the team to have a payroll more than $200MM. Besides if the Yankees stay under the CBT threshold for 2 straight years they pay less in revenue sharing money which is considerable in the Yankees case. Besides staying under the CBT threshold as many years as you can saves the team from the escalating tax rate if they were to go over it. There are benefits to getting under it and staying under it as long as you can. Like they wouldn’t be penalized for signing a FA that received a QO.
“He got a better deal. We even asked him if he would pitch in the bullpen, but he got a commitment to start, a multi-year deal, a good deal from Baltimore.”
Boy, Texas sure wasn’t confident at all in Cashner repeating the Smoak&Mirrors he gave them last season.
I wouldn’t read too much into it. Cashner is one of many free agent starters who has gotten an insulting offer from the Rangers this offseason.
JD’s swimming in the bargain bin like a child in a ball pit. He only comes out long enough to tender a joke of an offer to a real player in an failed effort to appease disappointed fans.
Nightengale is also the person who said it’s a done deal that the yankees get either machado or harper a year before their free agency even starts. He clearlys getting ahead of himself
Something has to be fixed. literally everyone wants to be a yankee and it’s getting out of control.
Explanation? Examples? Sources? What recent history suggests this assertion?
No way the Yankees can afford Machado and Stanton long term. At some point Judge, Sanchez, Didi, Severino and others will all want to get paid and its hard to put together a quality team with two players making $70+MM combined
Actually that’s not true. Judge, Sanchez and Severino all under are under team control for 5 more years. What makes it also possible is the depth of the Yankees farms system they can replenish players from the from system potentially for years to come OR trade for low cost quality controlled players as needed.
As for Didi he’s a very solid player and I’m sure one the Yankees would love to keep but he’s not the type of player that is going to command a $100MM plys salary in 2020 when he becomes a FA at age 30.
If they have machado they’ll let Didi walk in FA.
of course they can afford it. they’re one of the richest teams in all of sports. its whether they want to pay it.
I am pretty sure Machado just wants the most money he can get. .
And Philly is the only place he can get it.
OK, White Sox fans. Let’s get the notion of Manny Machado joining our beloved out of our heads once and for all. He grew up a Yankee fan and they figure to go all out for his services as a SS or 3B following the 2018 season.
You can forget about Bryce Harper as well, especially with the White Sox seemingly more set with elite outfield prospects down the road. I fully anticipate Harper joining his pal Kris Bryant on the North Side of Chicago which will make the Cub fan in me very happy.
If the White Sox are intent on making a big splash in free agency why not right now? Last I checked there is still a very capable big bat available who is 30 years old, doesn’t come with the stigma of a qualifying offer and figures to be a relative bargain as a corner outfielder and future DH. J.D. Martinez could be had for a fraction of the cost of Machado or Harper and would look very good in a lineup featuring the likes of Jose Abreu and Yoan Moncada in 2018 and with other potentially elite bats like Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert on the way. Make it so, Mr. Hahn. And while you’re at it, give Mr. Abreu his desired extension so he can remain a part of this group beyond 2019. I guarantee you, the total value of a Martinez free agent contract and an Abreu extension would still be considerably less than a single deal for either Machado or Harper. What say you, Rick?
Not so sure JDM will be cheap or cost-effective for a rebuilding team. They’d be buying his next couple of years of hopefully elite performance when they’re not expected to contend. By the time the Sox are in contention, Martinez may very well be in a steep decline. Without a position, he is an albatross contract waiting to happen, which is not something a rebuilding team should be looking to acquire.
He should be a “relative bargain” for the White Sox or any other team willing to enter the JDM derby with only the Red Sox and Diamondbacks reportedly showing significant interest. The White Sox could easily outbid the Diamondbacks and don’t have the payroll or luxury tax concerns of the Red Sox.
Martinez is not getting anything close to what he and his agent Scott Boras were hoping for when the offseason began. It’s doubtful he will even approach any of the projections from neutral parties such as this website, at least in terms of years and total contract value. Maybe, just maybe, he lands a deal near a predicted AAV with less guaranteed years.
I’m guessing Martinez ultimately signs a deal for 5 years max but one that also contains an opt-out. This could be feasible for the White Sox provided they don’t give him full no-trade protection over the next two seasons like the Cubs did with Yu Darvish ahead of his opt-out following the 2019 season. With Martinez in the fold along with Jose Abreu, Avisail Garcia and Wellington Castillo through at least 2019, other young rostered players like Yoan Moncada, Tim Anderson, Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Carson Fulmer making significant progress in 2018 along with many other of their elite prospects expected to debut this season or next, I believe the White Sox could be viable postseason contenders as soon as 2019 and perennial title contenders come 2020.
Admittedly I am on optimist. But that optimism paid off with the rebuilding Cubs earlier than expected in 2015 and I fully believe that the White Sox are on a faster track than their North Side city rivals.
There’s no evidence whatsoever he was a Yankee fan growing up. He was an Alex Rodriguez fan and he wore “#3”’to honor him growing up. Rodriguez wore 3 for the Rangers.
The Bob Nightengale article link suggests otherwise with these thoughts:
Machado, 25, has no control of whether he’s traded this season, but when the season ends, he’ll have the ultimate power, with that pen in his hand sitting in front of offers that start with $300 million.
And it would be the upset of all free-agent upsets if he’s not playing for the Yankees.
“We’ll see, we’ll see,’’ Machado said, laughing.:
Machado grew up in Miami idolizing the Yankees.
Machado’s idol, Alex Rodriguez, spent 10 years and won a World Series with the Yankees.
And Machado, who would like to be on center stage in a big market, happens to love New York City.
Machado wants to be a Yankee, and, oh, how the feeling is mutual.
Of course, much of this is the opinion of Bob Nightengale but he is hardly alone in his thinking.
Robbie Cano didn’t like NY, he always wanted to play for Seattle?
Manny will get his Cano in Philly and nowhere else, as will Bryce Harper.
The Phillies are a $200 million payroll team with a commitment of $85 million for 2019. Do the math.
You’re basically too easy…
Here’s a question. What if Machado has another less-than-elite season? Say slightly better than last year but not “elite” ex .275/.330/.470 and 33 hrs with decent defense. And let’s say Didi repeats or improves on his 2017 line of .287/..320/.480 and 25 hrs with similar stellar defensive metrics. Didi won’t be a FA until after the 2019 season. If Machado really wants to play SS would the Yankees really agree to a $300 mil + contract that most assume Machado will sign for or just stick with Didi for 2019 and maybe try and extend him which would probably be $150-200 mil less than what Machado’s market is assumed to be?
As a Yanks fan I would be soooooo happy if they avoided signing Machado and Harper. Cashman has been “ballin on a budget” by finding guys like Didi, Castro and Hicks and a lot of good drafting,
To me, signing the most expensive stars is like buying an expensive car. I would have no problem leasing a car on a bi-annual basis and then replacing it when the lease expires rather than committing to a purchase that you know will likely diminish over the term of the payments.
Disappointing to hear the Tribe didn’t work a deal with Santana especially with his side coming up with that offer.
Agreed. Was very disappointed to see him leave.
Nightengale has continuously proven to be a fountain of misinformation
Machado is a clubhouse cancer
Send Machado to the Cardinals for Bader, Hudson, Gyorko, and another pitching prospect.
Idk why the Orioles are trying to compete in a division that will see the Red Sox and Yankees finish 1 and 2 or 2 and 1. Sell what you can, get best deal you can, and look towards the future.
I’d rather keep machado and get a QO than take the cardinals 4th best pitching prospect coming into this offseason + Jedd gyorko. One more year of watching manny is worth more than that.
i hope andujar wins ROY so that way they dont have to sign Machado
In one of your earlier post you said you wished the Yankees never traded for Stanton. Let’s get real on who has the most value.
Hmm don’t remember saying that. Was probably sarcasm or a joke
i see someone above saying that but i dont recall me ever saying that
Yea I meant that for his post. It had been posted twice but has since disappeared.
I speak on behalf of all Yankees fans,: we don’t want Machado. We want to continue raising the farm. Gleyber at 2B and Andujar at 3B. We don’t want a roster full of lazy, non-chalant multi-millionaires. We already have had enough of that over the years; the teams never work out.
No you don’t…
Hopefully the Cubs can pick up mochado.
Maybe Jason Heyward will sign Machado?
How does that make any sense?
Who?
When did Manny ever say he wanted to be a Yankee
I wonder how much of Machado’s desire to return to SS has to do with a REAL desire to play the position (which will become increasingly more difficult as he enters his 30’s which would conceivably happen around the middle of a 10 year contract) or to differentiate himself from other 3B only FA’s (Donaldson, Beltre, Gonzalez and MAYBE Moustakas) and increase his value because of his move to a more premium position.
I think he just never wanted to play 3b. He came up playing SS and that is who he believes he is and wants to play