Oh, Manny! Yankees expect they will meet with Machado soon: source

LAS VEGAS — The Yankees are expecting to meet with Manny Machado “soon,” a source acknowledged, confirming reports. The All-Star infielder is scheduled to meet with the Yankees, Phillies and White Sox, according to a report by

Fancred’s Jon Heyman.

Tuesday, Brian Cashman “wouldn’t say” if he was planning to meet with the free agent, but he said he has spoken with Machado’s agent, Dan Lozano, several times before coming to the annual MLB Winter Meetings at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

The 26-year-old hit .297 with a .905 OPS, 37 homers and 107 RBI in 162 games for the Orioles and Dodgers this past season.

Although Cashman would not divulge his plans, it is expected that the topic of Machado’s “I’m no Johnny Hustle” comment will come up. Yankees COO Hal Steinbrenner said that would be a requirement for him to sign off on a mega deal to bring the shortstop/third baseman to the Bronx.

STICKING WITH SANCHEZ

Gary Sanchez finished up the “heavy lifting” of his rehab from left shoulder surgery in Tampa last weekend and headed back to the Dominican Republic, Cashman said. The catcher, coming off a horrendous year at the plate and shaky one behind it, is the Yankees’ projected 2019 Opening Day starting catcher.

“That’s our plan. I’ve certainly had people ask me about Gary Sanchez. We believe he’s a part of our solution. There is no problem with him from that perspective, so he’s a big difference maker in the fact that when we take the field and he’s in that lineup, there’s already a possession arrow our way because, I don’t know if it’s 90 percent of the other clubs do not have that type of caliber player at that position,” Cashman said. “It’s a very difficult position in this game and we have one of the best at that position in this game.”