(670 The Score) The White Sox have made a formal offer to star free agent Manny Machado, sources confirmed Thursday.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today first reported the news.
The 26-year-old Machado is known to have met with the Yankees, Phillies and White Sox at length, all prior to Christmas. He visited Guaranteed Rate Field and Chicago on Dec. 17, meeting with team officials for more than seven hours.
Machado has been expected to make a decision in early January, which is now upon us.
Machado hit .297 with 37 home runs and 107 RBIs last season -- all career-best marks -- while playing for both the Orioles and the Dodgers. He played 147 games at shortstop last season, though he primarily played third base in the first five full seasons of his career.
Terms of the White Sox's offer are unknown, though they aren't willing to offer a deal of 10 years in length, sources said Wednesday.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
