With the New York Yankees seemingly out of the running for Manny Machado, his camp continues to push this “mystery team.”
The Bronx can smell the desperation from thousands of miles away—despite the heavenly aroma leaking from the Hard Rock Cafe and The Dugout.
Manny Machado’s camp can’t stop pushing this infamous “mystery team” after the stud shortstop’s services—perhaps for the New York Yankees‘ benefit.
According to Jon Heyman of Fancred, this already annoying MLB mystery team is continuing its pursuit of the slugger in addition to the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox. The information is coming from the Machado people.
Machado camp is telling some folks there’s a mystery team in addition to Chisox, Phils. Validity is unknown.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 11, 2019
“Machado camp is telling some folks there’s a mystery team in addition to Chisox, Phils. Validity is unknown.”
Several distinct thoughts immediately come to mind.
Overwhelmingly, it feels like a ploy. Why is Machado taking this long to nail down his future? If he truly does want the Yankees, the mystery team could be that management ploy to force Brian Cashman into action.
Of course, Bob Nightengale of USA Today recently dropped the bomb that New York hasn’t offered a contract and that they are seemingly out of the mix.
The #Yankees’ stance has not changed one iota in Manny Machado talks. They have talked financial concepts with Machado, but have yet to make official offer. Certainly, they have not backed out of Machado sweepstakes with #WhiteSox and #Phillies leading the way.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 10, 2019
“The Yankees’ stance has not changed one iota in Manny Machado talks. They have talked financial concepts with Machado, but have yet to make an official offer. Certainly, they have not backed out of Machado sweepstakes with White Sox and Phillies leading the way.”
The other thought is that this mystery team is very real and is in play. Or, perhaps, it’s real yet continually pushed to the media max in order to help increase that Philly and Chicago money.
Machado, 26, is coming off a 37-homer, 107-RBI campaign while splitting time with the Baltimore Orioles and NL Pennant-winning Los Angeles Dodgers.
All we know for sure is Manny Machado is keeping the baseball world up at night—for several weeks and counting.
