Manny Machado Appears To Reveal His Plans for Next Season in Surprise Instagram Post
Manny Machado’s stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers may be a short one, if his latest social media post is any indication of his plans for 2019.
The Dodgers shortstop took to Instagram on Wednesday to say “Thank You” to Dodger fans, but it sure sounded like a goodbye, too.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpnmBkxl-Oe/?hl=en
“I’d like to thank the Los Angeles Dodgers organization for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play for a World Series title. Wearing that iconic Dodger Blue everyday was truly an honor,” Machado wrote.
“To Doc (manager Dave Roberts), the coaching staff and the boys, it was a privilege going into battle with all of you! Something I’ll never forget!! Thank you to the Dodgers staff and front office for welcoming me and my wife with open arms from day one,” he continued.
To fans he said, “(Y)ou guys are amazing! 50,000 strong, bleeding Dodger Blue night in and night out. Thank you for making my experience as a Dodger, one I will cherish forever. I know we didn’t achieve our goal of bringing a championship back to Chavez Ravine, but there is no doubt in my mind that with this group of guys a World Series Title is on the horizon.”
Machado closed by saying, “Gracias por hacerme sentir como en casa,” which translates to, “Thanks for making me feel at home.”
Was that a farewell letter from Machado, whom the Dodgers acquired from Baltimore for five prospects July 18? We’ll have to wait to find out.
In 66 games with Los Angeles, Machado hit .273 with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs. Including his games with the Orioles, he hit .297 with 37 home runs and 103 RBIs in 2018.
Machado helped propel the Dodgers to a 47-28 record en route to a first-place finish in the NL West. LA went on to beat the Braves 3-1 in the NL Division Series and the Brewers in the NL Championship Series before falling to the Red Sox in the World Series in five games.
Machado had a lackluster World Series, hitting just .182 with three RBIs. He made the final out of the series, striking out against Chris Sale.
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That falling-down strikeout might be the last image of Machado in a Dodgers uniform. He is a free agent this offseason, and it appears unlikely that the Dodgers will re-sign him.
The Yankees, Nationals, Phillies and Cubs are among the teams that reportedly have been interested in the 26-year-old four-time All-Star.
However, the Yankees are now “lukewarm” on pursuing Machado given his “postseason antics,” SportsNet New York’s Andy Martino reported Monday.
Those antics include not running out ground balls and making questionable plays. Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich called Machado a “dirty player” for tripping up Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar while running out a ground ball in the NLCS.
Christian Yelich on Manny Machado’s incident at first base with Jesus Aguilar:
“It’s a dirty play by a dirty player.” pic.twitter.com/O08imKDpQE— Chase Denton (@chasedenton_) October 17, 2018
Even if the Yankees do bow out, there will be plenty of interest in Machado in the offseason as he is considered one of the prize free agents along with the Nationals’ Bryce Harper.
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