Manny Machado Rumors: Pittsburgh Pirates Not A Mystery Team For MLB Free Agent

The idea that a “mystery team” could sign Manny Machado seems more and more realistic the longer the infielder’s free agency lasts. The superstar met with the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox a month ago, but there is a rumor that another organization has made him the most lucrative offer.

There are plenty of guesses as to which team might be going after Machado, though we might be able to cross one possibility off the list.

According to Fancred’s Jon Heyman, the Pittsburgh Pirates are not attempting to acquire the 26-year-old. Heyman dispelled rumors that Pittsburgh might trade Starling Marte to the Los Angeles Dodgers and try to sign Machado.

Pittsburgh does fit the profile of a potential mystery team in the Manny Machado Sweepstakes. They could certainly use a player of his caliber after winning 82 games in 2018 and missing the playoffs for a third straight season. The Pirates also have money to spend, since they are projected to have the second-lowest payroll in the 2019 MLB season.

Francisco Cervelli is set to be the highest-paid Pirate with an $11.5 million salary. Marte is the second-highest paid player on the team with a $10 million base salary. Only three other players on the roster will make more than $5 million.

Pittsburgh’s $58.9 million payroll puts them more than $147 million below the luxury tax.

There have been conflicting reports regarding what the White Sox have offered Machado. They are the only known team that’s presented the four-time All-Star with an actual deal.

Machado is reportedly seeking a deal worth north of $325 million, though it seems clear that he has yet to receive such an offer. Philadelphia is expected to make a major offer to either Machado or Bryce Harper.

The Yankees seem to have fallen out of the race for Machado. There’s speculation that New York could come back into contention if the infielder doesn’t get a contract worth more than $200 million.