The New York Yankees heavily pursued a trade to acquire Baltimore Orioles star Manny Machado this offseason before the Orioles decided not to trade him, but it's only a matter of time until Machado is wearing pinstripes.
According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Machado "wants to be a Yankee" and will sign with the team in free agency following the 2018 season if he is not traded there.
Machado, who was shopped during the winter but stayed when the Orioles never received the trade package they desired, will ultimately end up with the New York Yankees. ...
Machado, 25, has no control of whether he’s traded this season, but when the season ends, he’ll have the ultimate power, with that pen in his hand sitting in front of offers that start with $300 million.
And it would be the upset of all free-agent upsets if he’s not playing for the Yankees. ...
Machado wants to be a Yankee, and, oh, how the feeling is mutual.
There are no ongoing extension talks between Machado and the Orioles at this time, signaling that he won't be back. He's expected to command worth more than Giancarlo Stanton's $325 million deal.
New York also plans to pursue Bryce Harper in some capacity.
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A number of other teams, namely the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, were also pursuing a trade for Machado this offseason. However, St. Louis wouldn't meet Baltimore's asking price because of his unwillingness to commit to signing there long term and the Orioles refused to send him Chicago because the White Sox said they'd deal him again at the trade deadline.
New York would be his most logical suitor at that point in time, and the Orioles were so determined not to have Machado end up on the Yankees that they would only deal him to a team that will not later flip him to New York.
Machado batted .259 with 33 homers and 95 RBIs in 156 games last season.
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