White Sox Official Talks Machado Deal Progress; Sabathia Wants Manny Signing

The Chicago White Sox are not giving up on their chase for Manny Machado the most sought after free agent in baseball along with Bryce Harper. Jim Thome, special assistant to general manager Rick Hahn confirmed that they were “working hard” to ensure they do not lose out in the sweepstakes.

The free agent shortstop is seeking a record setting deal north of $300 million over a 10-year period, but interested franchises are reportedly yet to step forward and meet his demands.

Machado has three teams on his shortlist that is known to the public – the White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees. He has met with all three teams in December but indicated that he will make a decision in the New Year.

We are 11 days into 2019, but it does not seem that the shortstop is any closer to making a decision. Machado and his agent Dan Lozano are said to be still waiting on an offer closer to the $300 million mark, but none of the three teams have thus far stepped up.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the White Sox are the only team to have made an offer thus far, but the deal while expected to be long-term in the region of seven or eight years is said to be valued closer to the $200 million rather the $300 million mark.

And Thome has confirmed that they are working hard in the hope of beating other interested suitors and admits that it will be wonderful for the city of Chicago if they land Machado.

“That would be wonderful for our city and organization,” Thome said, as quoted on Chicago Sun Times. The boys, Rick and [executive vice president] Kenny [Williams], are working hard.

We’re excited. This is a fun time for us. We’re a young organization with a bunch of talent, and we’re hoping that gets done,” he added. “We’ll see what happens.”

The Phillies have admitted that they are willing to spend ‘stupid’ money to land their preferred targets and it is a known fact that they can probably outbid any of their rivals as things stand.

The Yankees, meanwhile, have discussed financial concepts with Machado, but are yet to make an offer. According to multiple reports they are looking at a more short-term option and are certainly not willing to offer what the player and his agent are demanding.

Despite one reporter suggesting that they have now dropped out of the race – that has been refuted. They are still said to be holding out for the player, who is a self-confessed Yankees fan to choose them, despite their offer being lower than that of the White Sox and probably the Phillies.

White Sox general manager Hahn remained coy and was also not willing to discuss an alternate plan, should they fail to land both Machado and Harper ahead of the upcoming campaign.

“Let’s wait until we get to the point where we know what’s up exactly with that, and we can talk about how we’re responding and how we feel,” Hahn said. “At this point, it’s just speculative.”

Meanwhile, Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia is hoping his employers can wrap up the Machado signing, admitting that it would be “awesome” to have the shortstop on the team.

The veteran pitcher understands that the delay is due to Machado not receiving offers that are closer to his valuation, but is certain that if the contract offers from all interested teams are more or less on par – the Yankees will come out winners.

"If we could get Manny (Machado), that would be awesome. Awesome," Sabathia said on his latest #R2C2 podcast with Ryan Ruocco, as transcribed by CBS Sports. "I would love to have him in our lineup and our clubhouse and around. But, it is what it is. I hope he signs. But if not, we'll keep going."

"Obviously he's not getting the offers that he wants. And if it comes back around, everything being even, how do you not sign with the Yankees?” he added.