Machado’s behavior won’t affect payday
LOS ANGELES — This is a celebrated World Series overflowing with perennial All-Stars, MVPs, Cy Young winners and future Hall of Famers, but no one is captivating America’s attention like Manny Machado.
We’re mesmerized by his every move. Will he blast a home run or strikeout? Sprint to first base or jog? Make gestures to incite the opposing crowd or show no reaction?
All we know is this: Soon, he will be the richest player in baseball history.
Machado, whose bad-boy image has been on full display this postseason, is entering free agency as one of the hottest commodities on the market, along with Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper.
The Dodgers have shown no indication they will try to re-sign Machado, and even if they entertained the notion when they gave up six prospects to acquire him from the Orioles at the July 31 trade deadline, it has vanished now. They have seen the warts and blemishes that have been exposed underneath the infielder’s worldly talent.
There are only a few teams willing to spend at least $300 million for the mercurial star and villain of this postseason. The Yankees are the front-runners, while the Phillies also plan to be in the bidding.
When he ultimately signs his deal, it will surpass Dodgers teammate and three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw’s annual average salary of $34 million. It will eclipse Red Sox starter David Price’s $217 million contract. And it will certainly dwarf Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez’s $110 million deal.
“I do know this,’’ says former third baseman Alex Rodriguez, now an analyst for Fox Sports and ESPN, “I’m very, very bullish on long-term stock on Manny Machado. If owners or front offices try to judge his character by the handful of things that he’s done, that’s a huge mistake. Whoever signs him will win big. Real big.’’
In a USA Today survey of 20 MLB general managers, executives, and scouts, not a single person believes Machado’s behavior will cause any team to lose interest.
There are no infielders on the open market who can compare to a 26-year-old, four-time All-Star who’s one of the finest allaround players in the game. He plays Gold Glove defense at third base, proved this season he can also play shortstop, and can hit with power, producing at least 33 home runs in each of the last four seasons.
Rodriguez may be the X factor in determining Machado’s ultimate destination. He is a friend of Machado’s and was his idol growing up in Miami — Machado honors him by wearing his number 13 — and he happens to be a Yankees’ special assistant who is close to owner Hal Steinbrenner.
The Yankees have an urgent need for a shortstop with Didi Gregorius, a free agent after 2019, who is out at least half of next season while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. They again have the desire to spend big money now that they’re under the $197 million luxury tax. And can you imagine a more terrifying heart of the order with Aaron Judge, Machado and Giancarlo Stanton?