By Matt McCarthy, 985TheSportsHub.com
The New York Yankees will make their pitch to star free agent Manny Machado when the two sides meet on Wednesday.
The meeting was first reported by George King of The New York Post.
Manny Machado and Yankees have meeting scheduled for Wednesday in New York
— George A. King III (@GeorgeAKingIII) December 16, 2018
It should come as no surprise that the Yankees are pursuing Machado. New York reportedly tried to swing a trade for Machado last offseason and at the July trading deadline and now needs help on the left side of their infield with shortstop Didi Gregorious sidelined following Tommy John surgery.
In another sign that the Yankees could be looking to reel in Machado, their third baseman, Miguel Andujar, has been the subject of trade discussion this offseason.
The Yankees have tried to downplay their interest in Machado at times, including last month when owner Hal Steinbrenner called Machado’s playoff antics “troubling.”
But few in the game seem to believe Machado’s October actions, including spiking Milwaukee’s Jesus Aguliar and his admitted lack of hustle, will take the Yankees out of the bidding.
New York won’t be the only deep-pocket major market team meeting with Machado this week. The All-Star is expected to have a sit-down with the Phillies on Thursday.
You can hear Matt McCarthy on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s own Hardcore Baseball podcast and on various 98.5 The Sports Hub programs. Follow him on Twitter @MattMcCarthy985.
