Yankees Rumors: Manny Machado A Serious Free Agent Consideration For New York?

The New York Yankees have been active in the offseason but have not traded for or signed a big bat. That could change this week.

According to New York Post reporter George A. King III, free agent slugger Manny Machado will meet with the team on Wednesday.

Machado, along with Bryce Harper, is considered the top free-agent bat this winter, and could command a $300 million contract. The 26-year-old is an excellent defensive shortshop, a position that the Yankees would like to fill with Didi Gregorius out until at least June after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Machado also has meetings lined up with the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox. The Phillies have long been considered the favorites to sign Machado.

King in November posted on Twitter that pitcher Dellin Betances had said that the Yankees possibly signing Machado would be "a big add for us."

In 2018, Machado hit .297 with a .905 OPS, 37 homers and 107 RBI in 162 games for the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers.

General manager Brian Cashman may be interested in loading up an already power-rich lineup after acquiring starting pitcher James Paxton from the Seattle Mariners for pitching prospects Justus Sheffield and Erik Swanson, as well as outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams.