January 20th, 2019 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka The annual Hot Stove season can be an insanely stressful time for baseball fans. I mean let’s face it, next year’s World Series could be decided by making the right – or wrong – move during the four months that winter storms roll across our great nation.
One such decision could involve 26-year-old free agent shortstop Manny Machado, just as it did last season.
Love him or hate him, and by every indication the feeling is pretty much mixed among Dodger fans, the Hialeah, Florida native and third overall pick in the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Brito Miami Private School in Miami by the Baltimore Orioles did play a major role in the Dodgers making it to their second consecutive Fall Classic.
Machado posted a slash-line of .273 / .338 / .487 for a very good OPS of .825 in the 66 games that he played for the Dodgers after his July 18, 2018 acquisition; this in addition to an even better .315 / .387 / .575 / .963 slash-line that he posted in the 96 games that he played in for Baltimore before being traded to the Dodgers. He also slugged 13 home runs as a Dodger (24 for the Orioles) and drove in 42 runs (65 for the Orioles) in the combined 162 regular season games in which he played in 2018. In fact, only Justin Turner (.312) and Matt Kemp (.290) had a better batting average than Machado for the Dodgers in 2018.
Unfortunately, Machado’s lack of “Johnny Hustle” (his own words) down the stretch and into the 2018 postseason caused him to plummet from grace with a great many Dodger fans; so much so that they never want to see him in a Dodgers uniform again, not ever … his .825 OPS, .273 batting average, 13 home runs, and 42 RBIs be damned.
But once you step back from the ledge, you begin to realize that Machado is an exceptionally good baseball player. In fact, through his first seven MLB seasons, he has appeared in four All-Star Games (including 2018), has won two Gold Gloves, and won a Platinum Glove in 2011. The Rawlings Platinum Glove Award is voted on by fans from among that season’s Gold Glove winners, with only one Platinum Glove awarded in each League.
…a potential Hall of Fame exceptionally good baseball player.
But no sooner had Machado left the Dodgers as a free agent following their second consecutive World Series failure that rumors began running rampant that he (through his agent Dan Lozano of MVP Sports Group) was seeking what would amount to the largest contract in baseball history in both term and money, along with that of fellow free agent Bryce Harper.
Late last week it was being widely reported that there was one (or more) “Mystery Team” secretly involved in negotiations with Machado and Lozano which, of course, sent the world (i.e., social media) into an absolute frenzy.
But with Dodgers homegrown All-Star shortstop Corey Seager expected to return to action when spring training camp opens next month (after missing nearly all of the 2018 season following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and arthroscopic surgery on his left hip), Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has made it abundantly clear that he simply is not willing to pay Machado the rumored $300+ million and 10 years that he is reportedly seeking.
…or is he?
Late last week even more rumors surfaced regarding Machado when USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale and ESPN‘s Buster Olney posted piggyback tweets reporting that the Chicago White Sox were nearing a deal with Machado (and Lozano) that rocked the baseball world … or at least the social media baseball world:
Within an hour of Olney’s and Nightengale’s tweets, a (very) noticeably upset Dan Lozano sent out a written statement to various news agencies refuting them in no uncertain terms and coming within a hair of accusing both of misfeasance:
“I have known Bob Nightengale and Buster Olney for many years and have always had a good professional relationship with both. But their recent reporting, like many other rumors in the past several months, have been inaccurate and reckless when it comes to Manny Machado. I don’t know if their sources are blatantly violating the Collective Bargaining Agreement by intentionally misleading them to try and affect negotiations through the public or are just flat out lying to them for other reasons. But the truth is that their reports on the details of the White Sox level of interest in Manny are completely wrong.
“I am well aware that the entire baseball universe; fans, players, teams, and media members alike; are starved for information about this free agent market for all players, including Manny. But I am not going to continue to watch the press be manipulated into tampering with, not just my client, but all of these players’ livelihoods as they have been doing this entire off-season. The absence of new information to report is no excuse to fabricate “news” or regurgitate falsehoods without even attempting to confirm their validity and it is a disservice to baseball fans everywhere when the media does just that.
“Moving forward, I will continue to respect the CBA’s prohibition on negotiations through the media, and hope that others would do the same.”
If the two popular national baseball writers were indeed trying to manipulate the Machado sweepstakes or speed it up, their plan (if you wish to call it that) failed miserably. Not only did it cause teams to immediately back away from the Machado negotiating table, it brought the entire process to a screeching halt.
In essence, Olney’s and Nightengale’s (apparent) irresponsible journalism has pushed potential Machado suitors – including the Dodgers – into standby mode. Simply put, why on earth would any team even consider offering Machado something in the 10-year / $300 million range when all they would have to do now is top the White Sox reported seven-year / $175 million offer by a dollar. As such, it’s easy to see why Lozano sees this as misfeasance (or market manipulation), and even easier to see why he is furious about it.
Are the Dodgers now in a better position to possibly bring back the extremely talented potential future Hall of Fame shortstop (and/or third baseman)? Realistically, probably not. But it certainly makes for some entertaining – if not stressful – off-season discussions and debates on social media and on websites around the globe.
Stay tuned…
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Posted in 
Waste of $$
Funny
When the Dodgers acquired Machado for 5 good to decent prospects I thought (and hoped) that he would be re-signed to an extension. Then, I watched many instances of lackadaisical play on offense and defense then the bush league attempt to kick the leg of Brewers first baseman Aguilar and was ready to wash my hands of Machado. There remain a couple of big hurdles for Dodgers to clear for Machado to return to LA, obviously money, length of contract, and belief that Machado has or will mature. But perhaps a bigger hurdle is where he would play? If Seager is 100% healthy then he is the SS, period! Machado’s best position is 3b, but that spot belongs to Turner. Will Seager be OK with a move to 2b for a year, or two with occasional games at SS? Or, Turner satisfied with a move to 1b, or less likely 2b? Turner to 1b, Muncy at 2b, Machado at 3b, and Seager the SS would be an awesome offensive infield, even if Muncy would have a defensive replacement later in games. Separate subject, Lozano’s rant. Never before have I read or heard an agent blow-up over writers’ rumors/supposition. Why? Is Lozano feeling the heat from Machado over shot term, relatively low AAV offers; or, is Lozano doing exactly what he accused Nightengale and Olney of doing, negotiating in the press to effect ongoing negotiations? From what I have read in the past, Lozano is not the most ethical guy, willing to say or do anything to enrich himself.
My one thought IF Dodgers did re-sign Machado was as you suggested, Seager moving to 2nd for the time being, as I know there are several players who have the ability to perform well at either of those 2 positions. and Seager would basically have shorter throws to make. JT has played some 1st and I would think he would certainly be OK with it if it meant improving the team’s offense. I know you don’t place much emphasis on this but Machado is an impact RHB that could be in middle of order. It also might keep some teams from loading up LHP on Dodgers, beings that the abundance of LH bats on the roster and not too many of them have shown , nor have been given much of a chance to hit against them. I am not fully advocating signing Machado but at least he would not need to be platooned, as many of our LH hitters are.
Hey Paul. Makes sense if Seager who is recovering from shoulder surgery moved to 2b with Turner staying at 3b. Best hitting infield of all time Muncy,Seager, Machado,Turner.
TJ surgery and hip surgery; shoulder is fine
When Manny is on his game he is AMAZING to watch. He’s definitely been gifted by the baseball gods with immense talent. My gut feeling is that he isn’t really interested in returning to the Dodgers. I’m kind of getting “off season signing” weary, ready for spring training.
I’m amazed at such positive thoughts on Machado. It’s good to read that there are Dodger fans that would accept him if he did come to the team.
I understand his father says that the Dodgers have made an offer, even if it’s hard to believe. I think it would be great if this happens.
I’m sorry to read that Turner would have difficulty playing 2B.
Turner’s knees, legs are not in ideal shape to play the demanding middle INF position of 2nd, but he is very efficient at 1st base if need be. At this point IDK what Dodgers may or may not do before ST, but this team as it stands now is now as good as the previous 2 years.
You already know my opinion on Machado returning. To be clear though, if that happens I will support him as I would anybody wearing the Dodger Blue. I believe it was Seinfeld who once described that as “cheering for laundry”.
Heck, I’d even support (Holy nightmare, Batman) Bummer if came to the Dodgers.
I do not like Machado and prefer that he not return to our beloved Dodgers, but if he does I’ll be cheering for him.
Hey Paul. Machado would probably play SS with Seager playing 2b. Might be the best hitting infield of all time. Muncy,Seager, Machado and Turner.120 Homer potential.
I don’t know if the Dodgers are the mystery team, but let’s hope Dodgers are the mystery team.
If they are, it means Machado is potentially agreeable to playing multiple positions on a short-term high AAV contract. In my opinion, it’s the only way Dodgers would be a serious suitor.
We need all the help we can get, if we’re going to win a Championship. Machado would be a big help, especially when you compare him against the remaining free-agent infielders linked to the Dodgers, Marwin Gonzalez, Josh Harrison and Yangervis Solarte.
Machado’s situation might make it possible to buy his 27 through 29 yr seasons with a 3 year high AAV contract. Even three years at $40M per season, total $120M is LOTS better for the Dodgers than ten years $300M for Harper.
From Machado’s standpoint, what better place to rehab himself than in the national spotlight with the powerhouse Dodgers.