MLB rumors: Does Joe Girardi think Yankees should sign Manny Machado?

Former Yankees manager Joe Girardi talks Manny Machado and whether his old team should sign the controversial free agent shortstop.

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. — Former Yankees manager Joe Girardi didn’t sound like he thinks his old team needs to add Manny Machado.

While Girardi called the star free agent shortstop a “great player,” he added that Machado was far from the only high-end talent available and hinted that it could just come down to cost.

“That’s something that they will have to investigate,” Girardi said while signing autographs at Steiner Sports in the Roosevelt Field Mall on Saturday morning.

“I’m not sure from a financial standpoint where Manny is going to be and how it fits within their plans. There’s no doubt that Manny’s a great player, but there’s a lot of great players that are out there. This is a pretty strong free agent class.”

“There are some pretty good bullpen arms that have experience. There are some pretty good outfielders, good infielders. That’s something that they have to decide.”

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Girardi managed the Yankees for 10 seasons, including a 2009 World Series win, before surprisingly being let go after a trip to Game 7 in the American League Championship Series in 2017. Aaron Boone replaced him as manager last season and the Yankees finished with 100 wins but the Red Sox bounced them in the AL Division Series.

The Yankees have repeatedly been connected to Machado over the years, and especially now that he’s seeking a home and a payday likely north of $300 million.

Machado reportedly wants to play for the Yankees and they could put him at shortstop until Didi Gregorius returns from Tommy John surgery recover sometime in the summer. Then the Yankees could shift Machado to third base.

General manager Brian Cashman and owner Hal Steinbrenner each have said Machado will have to explain away his postseason comments to The Athletic that he doesn’t like to hustle for the Yankees to sign him.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.