Yankees Rumors: Manny Machado Offer Is Low, But New York Still Has A Chance To Sign Top Free Agent

As long as Manny Machado remains unsigned, the New York Yankees should be considered a possible destination for the free agent. The team doesn’t seem willing to even approach the infielder’s desired contract, but it’s clear that no one has made such an offer with 2019 spring training just around the corner.

It still isn’t exactly known what the Yankees would be prepared to pay Machado. It was reported at the start of the offseason that New York wouldn’t go to $300 million. There have been rumors that the organization wouldn’t go higher than $200 million since they seem unwilling to give him a lengthy deal lasting between eight and 10 years.

When it was reported last week that the Chicago White Sox offered Machado $175 million over seven years—this report has been disputed by Machado’s agent—Fancred’s Jon Heyman said the Yankees were willing to exceed that number when they met with Machado in December. Machado wasn’t ready to accept a contract offer at the time, and he’s still waiting for the right offer several weeks later.

Machado has reportedly been seeking a deal comparable to the $325 million contract Giancarlo Stanton owns. It’s looking more and more like the 26-year-old will have to settle for a far lower number.

That is the primary reason why the Yankees are still in the hunt for Machado. No matter how “low” their potential offer might seem to Machado and his camp, no team has blown the star player away.

The lack of $300 million offers could open the door for mystery teams to join the fray. Machado only took meetings with the Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox last month. Other teams might make an offer if they believe a contract worth around $200 million could end up being competitive.

The Yankees have reportedly been Machado’s No.1 choice. If his other offers aren’t close to his liking, maybe New York and the infielder could try to come to some sort of an agreement. A contract with a high average salary and opt-outs earlier into the contract could allow Machado to land another lucrative deal in a few years.

New York seems fully prepared to move on after signing shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and second baseman DJ LeMahieu, but the lack of a true bidding war has kept the Yankees alive in the Manny Machado Sweepstakes.