Manny Machado
(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The Troy Tulowitzki signing doesn’t mean the New York Yankees are out on Manny Machado. In fact, they informed Machado of the move beforehand.

The New York Yankees are still in the hunt for Manny Machado. Don’t let the Troy Tulowitzki signing muddy the waters.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Yankees reached out to Machado to inform him that they were signing Tulowitzki to a minimum contract. This signals New York’s interest in Machado and shows that they didn’t want to send the wrong message.

Furthermore, the superstar infielder shouldn’t be threatened by Tulowitzki. The former All-Star shortstop has only played 66 games in the last two years and the Yankees are not taking much of a risk by signing the 34-year-old.

The focus is still very much on Machado and if he does sign with New York, that presents the Yankees with a choice. General manager Brian Cashman will have to figure out what he wants to do with the crowded infield.

One possibility is that the Yankees cut their losses and move on from Tulowitzki. Another option would be to trade Miguel Andujar while his value is extremely high.

But Cashman won’t have to make a decision immediately. Didi Gregorius is going to be out for much of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery. As a result, Machado could play shortstop or third base until the energetic Gregorius returns.

As free agency crawls on, Machado’s decision will remain one of the most compelling storylines of the winter. The Yankees still covet the superstar infielder and signing any player to a league-minimum contract doesn’t change that.


NY/NJ hoops reporter (NBA/NCAA) & sports betting writer for XL Media. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.