ATLANTA — The New York Yankees have yet to publicly declare their interest in signing marquee free-agent infielder Manny Machado, but Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said Wednesday they plan to perform heavy diligence and interview Machado before committing to a long-term contract.
Steinbrenner and Alex Rodriguez, a Yankees adviser and mentor to Machado, have already exchanged text messages about Machado and plan further talks in coming weeks about the 26-year-old free agent who’s expected to receive more than $300 million.
The Yankees pride themselves on their strong clubhouse culture and makeup, and Machado’s comments to Fox during the postseason about not aspiring to be “Johnny Hustle,’’ concerned Steinbrenner.
“If it’s a $300 million guy or a $10 million guy,’’ Steinbrenner said at the Major League Baseball owners’ meetings, “clearly those comments are troubling. That’s really [GM Brian Cashman’s] job, if we’re interested in any player, to sit down with them face-to-face and ask them, 'Where did this come from? What was the context around the entire interview? Was there a point? How do you justify it?
“Because that ain’t going to sell where we play baseball.’’
When asked how important it was to determine whether Machado simply misspoke, as his teammates said, Steinbrenner didn’t mince words.
“It’s essential,’’ Steinbrenner said. “That conversation will happen, no matter who it is. It is going to happen.’’
Machado, who also kicked Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar’s leg while running to first base during the National League Championship Series, caused a commotion with his comments during a pre-game show when asked about hustling.
“I’m not going to change,’’ he said. “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.’’
Machado told his teammates and several friends that he intended to say, "Not False Johnny Hustle,’’ but realized the words can certainly cause any team to pause before possibly making him the highest-paid player in baseball history. Steinbrenner says he will talk in the next few weeks with Rodriguez, who has known Machado since he was a 16-year-old growing up in Miami.
“We (have) just begun this process,’’ Steinbrenner said. “Our pro scouting meetings started two weeks ago. So, they still are going through many players, many options, many possibilities.’’
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