MLB rumors: Yankees are ‘front-runners’ to sign Dodgers’ Manny Machado, and Alex Rodriguez could be the reason why

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado will be a free agent after the 2018 World Series. The New York Yankees, after losing Didi Gregorius to Tommy John surgery, are considered the “front-runner” to sign Machado, who will be back on the field Friday, October 26, 2018 (10/26/18) for Game 3 of the World Series against the Boston Red Sox.

If Yankees fans want a sneak peak at their starting shortstop for 2019, the best bet is to watch the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports the Yankees are the favorites to sign Manny Machado, who will be a free agent after the 2018 World Series.

There are only a few teams willing to spend at least $300 million for the mercurial star and villain of this postseason. The New York Yankees are the front-runners, while the Philadelphia Phillies also plan to be in the bidding.

When he ultimately signs his deal, it will surpass Dodgers teammate and three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw’s annual average salary of $34 million. It will eclipse Boston Red Sox starter David Price’s $217 million contract. And it will certainly dwarf Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez’s $110 million deal.

“I do know this,” says former third baseman Alex Rodriguez, now an analyst for Fox Sports and ESPN, “I’m very, very bullish on long-term stock on Manny Machado. If owners or front offices try to judge his character by the handful of things that he’s done, that’s a huge mistake.

“Whoever signs him will win big. Real big.”

And how about this nugget. Nightengale reports Rodriguez could be a big reason why Machado ends up in the Bronx.

Rodriguez may be the X factor in determining Machado’s ultimate destination. He is a friend of Machado’s and was his idol growing up in Miami — Machado honors him by wearing his number 13 — and he happens to be a Yankees’ special assistant who is close to owner Hal Steinbrenner.

…

Rodriguez says he’s unable to discuss specific conversations he’s had with the Yankees about Machado, but rest assured, the topic has come up.

State of the Yankees: Beat writers debate

The Yankees had always been considered a contender for Machado because of the team’s deep pockets. But everything changed once the team announced Didi Gregorius will miss the beginning of the 2019 season because of Tommy John surgery.

Machado, however, does come with some baggage.

In the fourth inning of Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Machado didn’t hustle down the line in a groundout to shortstop, then told The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, “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.”

In the 10th inning of Game 4 of the NLCS, Machado caught the back leg of Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar while running out a ground ball. That prompted Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich to say, “It was a dirty play by a dirty player.” MLB fined Machado an undisclosed amount.

Machado will be back on the field Friday for Game 3 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. Machado and the Dodgers lost the first two games to the Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Mass.

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