After New York Yankees' failed attempt at acquiring Manny Machado from the Baltimore Orioles this offseason, the third baseman is not far from becoming a true Yankee.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today shared that Machado really wants to wear the pinstriped uniform. He adds that Machado will sign with the Yankees once he becomes a free agent after the 2018 season. If he is not already traded there, Nightengale indicates.
According to Chat Sports, Machado and Orioles are not in talks of an extension for the former, which means that he will not be coming back. And if the Yankees push through with acquiring him for the second time, Machado's cap will be more than $300 million.
Further reports believe that the Yankees will be persistently pursuing the 25-year-old player next winter -- with him being the missing piece to the Yankee's championship roster.
Besides the Yankees, the Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals were also eyeing Machado this past offseason.
However, the Cardinals refused to give a nod to the Orioles' asking price for the player since Machado is not willing to sign a long-term deal. Meanwhile, Orioles refused the White Sox because they were planning to deal him again at the trade deadline.
Last season, Machado incurred a record of .259 bats, 33 homers, and 95 run batted ins in a total of 156 games.
Machado made his MLB debut in 2012, signing with his current team, the Baltimore Orioles. In 2013, he was able to join the American League All-Star Team where he went on to win both the 2013 Gold Glove Award and the 2013 AL Platinum Glove -- awarded to the best defender at any position.
His defensive play has been likened to baseball Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, due to their similar playing styles and raw power.
