MLB rumors: Another reason Yankees' Brian Cashman might pass on signing Dodgers' Manny Machado (UPDATE)

by Felix Pantaleón

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers are meeting in the National League Championship Series, which is tied, 2-2. After the playoffs, Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado will become a free agent. Deep-pocketed teams like the Yankees and Phillies are expected to make a run at Machado.

UPDATE (3:46 p.m.): The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports Manny Machado is being fined for his actions in Game 4 vs. the Milwaukee Brewers:

MLB has fined Manny Machado an undisclosed amount for the way he ran into Jesus Aguilar last night, sources tell The Athletic.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 17, 2018

Another day, another reason why the New York Yankees should think twice before signing Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado.

This one comes from Game 4 of the National League Championship Series between the Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers.

In the 10th inning, Machado caught the back leg of Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar while running out a ground ball.

What caused the minor dust-up between Manny Machado and Jesus Aguilar. pic.twitter.com/vEFVRyF12q

— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) October 17, 2018

Here’s what happened next, per ESPN:

Both benches cleared after the incident. Aguilar’s right foot was on first base, and it appeared as if Machado intentionally kicked it with his left foot out of frustration after being called out.

“It was a dirty play by a dirty player,” Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich said.

…

“He’s a player that has a history of those types of incidents,” Yelich said. “One time is an accident. Repeated over and over and over again, you’re just a dirty player. It’s a dirty play by a dirty player. That’s what it is. I have a lot of respect for him as a player, but you can’t respect someone who plays the game like that.

Ex-Yankees in the playoffs

This hasn’t been a good NLCS for Machado.

In the fourth inning of Game 2, a 4-3 Dodgers victory, Machado didn’t hustle down the line in a groundout to shortstop.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal asked Machado about what happened. Machado didn’t do himself any favors with his answer:

“I’m not the type of player that’s going to be ‘Johnny Hustle,’ and run down the line and slide to first base and … you know, whatever can happen. That’s just not my personality, that’s not my cup of tea, that’s not who I am.”

That can’t make Brian Cashman feel good. Machado is one option for the Yankees as they look to replace Didi Gregorius, who will miss the start of the 2019 season because of Tommy John surgery. Machado and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper will dominate the free agency headlines following the World Series.

As for the Game 4 incident, the Los Angeles Times reports Major League Baseball chief baseball officer Joe Torre plans to review the play.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.