Orioles superstar Manny Machado won’t be a free agent until after the 2018 season, but that isn’t stopping him from dreaming of signing with the Yankees.
“I’m sure now when we go to New York, it’s going to be crazy,’’ the third baseman told Kevin Kernan of The New York Post. “I know there is talk about the future and maybe me, Gary [Sanchez] and [Bryce] Harper being together. That’s New York. That’s what goes on. You never know what to expect in this game.”
The 24-year-old just began his sixth Major League season after hitting a career high .294/.343/.533 with 40 doubles and 37 home runs in 2016. The Yankees will have plenty of money to spend by the time Machado hits the open market, and he’s well-aware of the payday that could await him in the Bronx.
“Those are things you can’t control,’’ responding to rumors of the Yankees being his top suitor. “You can’t control what people are going to say, but I can go out there and do what I can to get to that situation and put myself in a good situation for my family to do big things.’’
As of now, the two biggest financial commitments for the Yankees after 2018 are Jacoby Ellsbury, who’s owed $21.1 million per year through 2020 (not including a 2021 team option), and Aroldis Chapman, who just signed a five-year, $86 million deal over the winter. Masahiro Tanaka will likely opt out of his contract after this season, and the Yankees may not bring him back.
That would leave plenty of room for both Machado and Harper to sign record-setting deals with the Yankees. While the team is committed to developing their young talent, the ability to add Machado and Harper to jumpstart a new dynasty may be too good to pass up.
