The Yankees potentially adding Manny Machado to a lineup that already houses Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton is complicated on a lot of levels.
Not the least of which is Machado shockingly admitting that hustle isn’t part of his tool kit.
Nevertheless, what is very clear is Machado isn’t Didi Gregorius when it comes to playing shortstop. According to several talent evaluators, it’s not close.
“He is not going to hurt you at shortstop, but Didi is a plus defender and Machado is not,’’ said a scout who has seen a lot of Machado since Machado moved from third base to short full time in 2018. “He is not Didi.’’
With estimates of Machado landing a free-agent contract in the area of $300 million, the scout said that, for that money, a club should get a complete player who plays with passion.
“I want Mike Trout, Alex Bregman and Aaron Judge,’’ the scout said. “He isn’t Corey Seager or Didi Gregorius, they come to kick your [butt] every day. He plays when he wants to.’’
And not at max effort all the time. That was displayed in Game 2 of the NLCS when Machado didn’t run all out on a ground ball in the hole between short and third that Brewers’ shortstop Orlando Arcia turned into an easy out.
According to a report in The Athletic, Machado stunningly admitted he isn’t high on hustle.
“Obviously, I am not going to change. I am not that 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,’’ Machado told Ken Rosenthal. “That’s just not my personality, that’s not my cup of tea, that’s not who I am.’’
It’s one thing to think that way — Robinson Cano comes to mind — but to admit it prior to hitting the free-agent market is shocking on several levels and could give one or more of the few teams with that kind of money to spend pause about what they would be getting from a 26-year-old infielder who will be 27 in July and has had each knee operated on.
Gregorius is scheduled for Tommy John surgery this week on his right elbow that could sideline him until late July if he doesn’t experience setbacks. That is one of the complications.
Machado knows he is worth more money as a free-agent shortstop with a big bat (142 homers in the past four years and a .282 career average), and that when Gregorius returns, Machado would have to be relocated to third base, where he played his first six seasons in the big leagues and won two Gold Gloves. And what becomes of Miguel Andujar, who will finish in the top three of the AL Rookie of the Year race?
Another talent evaluator pointed to the possibility of the 6-foot-3, 185-pound Machado getting bigger as he ages, which will reduce his range.
“A little bit above average. Not as good as Didi as far as range, arm strength, instincts and coming to get the ball,’’ the person said.
Further complicating the issue is Gregorius, easily the Yankees’ 2018 MVP after hitting .268 with 86 RBIs and a career-high 27 homers to go with Gold Glove-caliber defense, can be a free agent following the 2019 season.
The Yankees could avoid Machado and re-sign defensive wizard Adeiny Hechavarria or acquire another shortstop to play until Gregorius returns. With Stanton and Judge, a bounce-back season from Gary Sanchez, continued improvement from Aaron Hicks, Gleyber Torres and Andujar, the Yankees should have more than enough firepower to cover for Gregorius.
And remember this: In 2003 Derek Jeter suffered a shoulder injury on Opening Day and missed the next 36 games. He was replaced by Erick Almonte and the Yankees went 25-11 in the games Jeter missed.
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