Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Manny Machado is holding all the chips as MLB’s free agent process draws on.
Three teams — the White Sox, Phillies and Yankees — are seen as the finalists to land the All-Star infielder.
But according to this report from Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports, Machado’s asking price might be too steep for the three teams. He’s reportedly still demanding $300-plus million on the open market.
Chicago and Philadelphia have not come close to the ask. Meanwhile, New York apparently has not even handed Machado an official offer.
Word is, Machado camp still seeking 300M plus. ChiSox, Phillies not believed to be close to that ask (though exact current offers aren’t known, and can change). Meanwhile, Yanks, believed to be preferred destination, have yet to make official offer. Still no word of mystery team.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 9, 2019
The drama we saw from Machado during the postseason in Los Angeles could very well be playing a role in this.
Even then, this situation is representative of a larger issue around MLB. Even with record revenues, the league has bundled free agency in recent years.
Machado, 26, is one of the best players in the game. He’s yet to even hit his prime — something that will happen here in the next year or so.
The four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner boasts a .283 average with 154 homers and 416 RBI over the past five seasons.