GLENDALE, Ariz. — There’s no getting around the Manny Machado elephant in the room.
Or, to be more specific, at the White Sox spring training complex at Camelback Ranch.
Will he or won’t he?
And if so, when?
It would be nice to know where Machado will land, so the Sox can get on with the rest of their lives. So manager Rick Renteria can get on with knowing what he’ll have to work with in 2019.
The first day of spring training is Wednesday, with pitchers and catchers taking the field, but some position players are here early. For this group, based on what players said about Machado during SoxFest – knowing the Sox are one of the contenders to land the 26-year-old star in free agency – he would be welcome with open arms. His brother in law, first baseman Yonder Alonso, is a new Sox, acquired in a December trade. His pal, outfielder Jon Jay, is too, signed to a one-year deal as a free agent.
The Sox resident star, Jose Abreu, spoke with Machado when the front office and Renteria met with him at Guaranteed Rate Field in December. Abreu said he would like to see Machado on board (some protection in the middle of the lineup would be nice, thank you).
Who wouldn’t?
But there was also a sense from players that they are a tight knit group, and confident of their places in the Sox rebuild. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, a ‘we got this’ feeling will prevail.
Perhaps. But there is no doubt the addition of Machado, while not enough to turn the Sox into a contender in 2019, would, in concert with a budding farm system, advance their postseason initiatives for years to come. And it would give their fan base, weary to the point of exhaustion from the dragging free-agent process, a needed jolt of adrenalin.
The first Cactus League game is in 11 days, and the season opener, March 28, is six weeks away. Machado and Bryce Harper remain unsigned, as do a host of other quality free agents. The Phillies and Sox are generally viewed as the top candidates, although the Yankees – a Machado stated preference last season – are reportedly still checking even though their infield is already stacked. For what it’s worth, BetOnline.com on Monday posted the Yankees as strong ½ favorites to sign him, followed by the Padres at 4-1 and the Sox and Phillies at 5-1.
Take those for what they’re worth. One thing is for sure: Machado is worth waiting for. And the White Sox, encouraged they are still in the ball game knowing they are a year or more from contending, are willing to wait, if necessary.
And until Machado decides, it will be a topic during spring training, sharing discussion time the customary spring training story lines.
“Yes,’’ shortstop Tim Anderson said when asked about it Tuesday, a couple of weeks after being asked about it at SoxFest. “It’s one of those things that can be annoying a little bit, touching on the same topic. Because a decision hasn’t been made.’’
As Anderson said, Machado would be welcomed with “open arms.”
“I think these guys are ready to have a player of (Machado’s) magnitude come in and contribute in a positive way,’’ Renteria said two weeks ago.
“I try not to consume myself with the things I can’t control. I really do have to start focusing as we are getting close to starting the spring here soon. I have to wrap my mind around all the guys we do have potentially coming into camp. Is there an X factor involved in my thinking with [Machado] coming in? Sure. I have to wrap my arms around everybody being here with us and put a plan together for those guys.’’
Stay tuned.
