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  6. article_body => "<p><em>This week, we\u2019re profiling some of the biggest names on the free-agent market and taking a look at what kind of fits they are for the White Sox.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">White Sox fans have been eyeing Manny Machado as a potential free-agent addition for years, and now Machado\u2019s time in the free-agent spotlight has finally come.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">But at least on Twitter, Machado is no longer the universally agreed-upon, must-have addition to this rebuilding effort he once was. Machado generated countless headlines with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/white-sox\/could-manny-machados-nlcs-shenanigans-impact-white-sox-potential-free-agent-pursuit\" target=\"_blank\">his words and actions during the playoffs<\/a> this October, causing many a fan to sour on the 26-year-old four-time All Star. He didn\u2019t run out a ground ball, not exactly a cardinal sin \u2014 unless you play for Rick Renteria, more on that in a bit \u2014 but made matters so much worse when he said hustling wasn\u2019t his cup of tea. Then he interfered with a couple double-play turns and appeared to intentionally drag his foot over the leg of Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">On-field antics are nothing new for Machado. He\u2019s thrown a batting helmet and a bat at opposing players in the middle of games, and he had a notorious spikes-up slide into Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. But the playoff shenanigans brought his on-field style into the national limelight, and White Sox fans noticed.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">But how much difference will it all make in the end? Machado is still expected to receive one of baseball\u2019s all-time biggest contracts considering he\u2019s still young and has a remarkable track record of success with the bat and the glove. He\u2019s thrice finished in the top 10 in AL MVP voting and won a pair of Gold Gloves at third base. He\u2019s coming off a career year, finishing the 2018 regular season with a .297\/.367\/.538 slash line, 37 home runs and 107 RBIs \u2014 all those numbers the best of his seven-year career.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">When it comes to the White Sox specifically, he of course fits with their long-term plans at just 26. He\u2019d be an obvious upgrade for a team that lost 100 games last season and would slot into the middle of their order for years to come. They\u2019re reportedly interested in Machado \u2014 along with the other biggest name in this year\u2019s free-agent class, Bryce Harper \u2014 with mentions of their interest dating back to last year\u2019s Winter Meetings. But interest has to be mutual, and Machado\u2019s been mentioned as desiring to play for the New York Yankees, who could use a shortstop while Didi Gregorius recovers from Tommy John surgery.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Plus, there are some White Sox related questions that would accompany Machado that wouldn\u2019t apply to Harper.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">First, the White Sox have a long-term shortstop in Tim Anderson, whose defensive improvement was one of the biggest highlights of the 100-loss 2018 campaign for the South Siders. Anderson earns consistent rave reviews from White Sox brass, and while Machado is a Gold Glove third baseman \u2014 a position where the White Sox do have an apparent long-term need \u2014 he was rather insistent on playing shortstop this year and figures to still have such a desire to stay at that position. Would Anderson thrive elsewhere on the field? Would Machado be willing to move back to third for the right contract?<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">And then there\u2019s Renteria, who made a habit of benching players for not running out ground balls, pop ups and line outs throughout the season. No type of player was safe from Renteria\u2019s punishments, with Avisail Garcia, the White Sox lone 2017 All Star, getting a benching during a spring training game. How would Machado, who insists he\u2019ll never be \u201cJohnny Hustle,\u201d fit in with Renteria\u2019s culture? For what it\u2019s worth, general manager Rick Hahn once again <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/white-sox\/manny-machado-rumors-flying-white-sox-still-supportive-rick-renterias-dont-quit\" target=\"_blank\">committed to that culture<\/a> during last week\u2019s GM Meetings. He also revealed just how committed the White Sox are to Renteria in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/white-sox\/rick-hahn-reveals-white-sox-extended-rick-renteria-past-2019-season\" target=\"_blank\">confirming a previously&nbsp;unannounced extension<\/a> for the skipper.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Whether any of the addressed stuff outside the MVP-caliber production ends up mattering in a union between Machado and whatever team ends up signing him remains to be seen. But he will without a doubt make that team a better one.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong><em>MORE MANNY MACHADO NEWS<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/bayarea\/giants\/manny-machado-doesnt-fit-giants-even-if-they-clear-infield-space\">All the reasons why Machado doesn't fit with the Giants<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/boston\/red-sox\/yankees-signing-manny-machado-would-be-logical-move-put-pressure-red-sox\">Your move, Yankees; is Manny Machado it?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/phillies\/despite-flaws-manny-machados-talent-still-worth-betting-phillies\">Despite flaws, Manny Machado's talent still worth betting on<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/nationals-can-afford-lose-bryce-harper-orioles-will-just-lose-or-without-manny-machado\">Nats can afford the loss of Bryce Harper<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/bayarea\/athletics\/why-manny-machado-not-worth-it-giant-contract-and-headache\">Why Machado to A's not worth big money or headache<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><em><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2OmHoHH\">Click here<\/a> to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/white-sox\">White Sox<\/a> easily on your device.<\/em><br>&nbsp;<\/p>\n"
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White Sox

Presented By White Sox Insiders
White Sox

This week, we’re profiling some of the biggest names on the free-agent market and taking a look at what kind of fits they are for the White Sox.

 

White Sox fans have been eyeing Manny Machado as a potential free-agent addition for years, and now Machado’s time in the free-agent spotlight has finally come.

But at least on Twitter, Machado is no longer the universally agreed-upon, must-have addition to this rebuilding effort he once was. Machado generated countless headlines with his words and actions during the playoffs this October, causing many a fan to sour on the 26-year-old four-time All Star. He didn’t run out a ground ball, not exactly a cardinal sin — unless you play for Rick Renteria, more on that in a bit — but made matters so much worse when he said hustling wasn’t his cup of tea. Then he interfered with a couple double-play turns and appeared to intentionally drag his foot over the leg of Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar.

On-field antics are nothing new for Machado. He’s thrown a batting helmet and a bat at opposing players in the middle of games, and he had a notorious spikes-up slide into Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. But the playoff shenanigans brought his on-field style into the national limelight, and White Sox fans noticed.

But how much difference will it all make in the end? Machado is still expected to receive one of baseball’s all-time biggest contracts considering he’s still young and has a remarkable track record of success with the bat and the glove. He’s thrice finished in the top 10 in AL MVP voting and won a pair of Gold Gloves at third base. He’s coming off a career year, finishing the 2018 regular season with a .297/.367/.538 slash line, 37 home runs and 107 RBIs — all those numbers the best of his seven-year career.

When it comes to the White Sox specifically, he of course fits with their long-term plans at just 26. He’d be an obvious upgrade for a team that lost 100 games last season and would slot into the middle of their order for years to come. They’re reportedly interested in Machado — along with the other biggest name in this year’s free-agent class, Bryce Harper — with mentions of their interest dating back to last year’s Winter Meetings. But interest has to be mutual, and Machado’s been mentioned as desiring to play for the New York Yankees, who could use a shortstop while Didi Gregorius recovers from Tommy John surgery.

Plus, there are some White Sox related questions that would accompany Machado that wouldn’t apply to Harper.

First, the White Sox have a long-term shortstop in Tim Anderson, whose defensive improvement was one of the biggest highlights of the 100-loss 2018 campaign for the South Siders. Anderson earns consistent rave reviews from White Sox brass, and while Machado is a Gold Glove third baseman — a position where the White Sox do have an apparent long-term need — he was rather insistent on playing shortstop this year and figures to still have such a desire to stay at that position. Would Anderson thrive elsewhere on the field? Would Machado be willing to move back to third for the right contract?

And then there’s Renteria, who made a habit of benching players for not running out ground balls, pop ups and line outs throughout the season. No type of player was safe from Renteria’s punishments, with Avisail Garcia, the White Sox lone 2017 All Star, getting a benching during a spring training game. How would Machado, who insists he’ll never be “Johnny Hustle,” fit in with Renteria’s culture? For what it’s worth, general manager Rick Hahn once again committed to that culture during last week’s GM Meetings. He also revealed just how committed the White Sox are to Renteria in confirming a previously unannounced extension for the skipper.

Whether any of the addressed stuff outside the MVP-caliber production ends up mattering in a union between Machado and whatever team ends up signing him remains to be seen. But he will without a doubt make that team a better one.

MORE MANNY MACHADO NEWS

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