The reported offer from the Chicago White Sox to Manny Machado leaves the door open for the New York Yankees to swoop in late.
Talks of Manny Machado’s eventual free agency usually led to conversations about astronomical contracts. Most expected the superstar infielder to command upwards of $300 million when he inked his first payday.
But it doesn’t look like Machado will get close to that number according to reports from ESPN’s Buster Olney.
The White Sox offer to Machado is for $175 million, over seven years. In some ways, their approach is like Boston's w/ J.D. Martinez last winter — the Red Sox offered $100 million and waited for two months. If CWS offer emerges as best, a big ? is: Would Machado/NYY re-engage?
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) January 16, 2019
It’s safe to assume that Machado will wait out this offer with the hopes of a team like the Yankees swooping in and outbidding Chicago. The White Sox are clearly pushing for Machado, but that deal might not be enough for the mercurial superstar.
It would be insane for the Yankees to stay out of the bidding for Machado if this is the best offer on the table. The Yankees could easily sign Machado to a more lucrative deal and have enough money to spend on Bryce Harper and then some. They won’t, but they could easily do it. They have more than enough money.
The last two winters have been especially tough on free agents. Heading into 2018, many believed that teams were holding back with plans to spend big the following winter.
But if this deal from the White Sox is Machado’s best offer, it’s clear that teams were not waiting. It’s clear that teams just aren’t nearly as interested in signing superstars to long-term contracts — and that includes the big, bad New York Yankees.
