Manny Machado Update: No Change In Free Agency With Phillies, White Sox, Yankees Lurking

Manny Machado is still a free agent with 2019 MLB spring training rapidly approaching. The star infielder hasn’t appeared close to signing a deal for a few weeks amid reports that he’s still seeking a record-setting contract.

There have been plenty of rumors about teams’ pursuit of Machado throughout the offseason. Last week, there were conflicting reports regarding the offer that the Chicago White Sox presented to the 26-year-old. The notion that a “mystery team” is in the hunt for Machado appeared to be a real possibility with rumors that the unknown organization made the free agent his most lucrative offer yet.

In the last couple of days, however, there hasn’t been much of an update on Machado. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for workouts in just three weeks, and there’s no indication that any team is prepared to offer Machado anything near the $325 million Giancarlo Stanton got when he made history in 2014.

It seemed like the Philadelphia Phillies’ meeting with Bryce Harper on Jan. 12 might get things moving. Some reports claimed the team would set their sights on signing the outfielder, potentially taking them out of the race for Machado. Eleven days later, there is still no known offer from Philadelphia to either free agent.

Chicago is the only team that’s been reported to have made a concrete offer to Machado. Whether it was for $175 million or around $200 million, it likely fell well short of the infielder’s expectations. With no one else making a hard push for Machado, the White Sox haven’t had to increase their offer to their No.1 target this offseason.

The New York Yankees might be the real mystery in the Manny Machado Sweepstakes. They are a known suitor, considering they met with the four-time All-Star last month, but their level of interest remains somewhat unknown.

Most reports indicate that the team won’t approach $300 million for Machado. They would probably only sign the free agent on a short-term deal, perhaps one that pays him north of $30 million a season over five or six years. The Yankees are clearly prepared to the start the season without Machado after signing shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and second baseman DJ LeMahieu.

Machado reportedly wants to play in the Bronx, though it’s hard to see him taking a massive discount to do so. His extended free agency could be a sign that what New York is prepared to offer, which has been thought to be below market value, might not be that much cheaper than the other deals presented to Machado.

Maybe some team will swoop in and blow Machado away with an offer, but it’s looking more and more like the free agent will remain without a team for a while longer if he plans to get the kind of money he’s been seeking.