By WFAN.com
Many speculated Friday when the Yankees added two-time All-Star infielder D.J. LeMahieu that it might have marked the end of the Bombers' pursuit of Manny Machado. Now an ESPN report basically confirms that's the case.
According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Yankees' talks with Machado are "either dormant or completely dead."
"Unless Machado accepts far less money from the Yankees than he might get elsewhere, (Miguel) Andujar will be back at third base," Olney wrote.
ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Sunday night that Machado is sitting on an eight-year offer from the Chicago White Sox. The four-time All-Star shortstop is also still reportedly engaged in talks with the Philadelphia Phillies, while there have been rumblings that a mystery third team could also be in the mix.
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The Phillies met with baseball's other big free agent, Bryce Harper, on Saturday in Las Vegas and might be shifting their focus away from Machado as a result, MLB.com reported.
While the Yankees have kept close tabs on the Machado sweepstakes, they have also bolstered their offense in recent weeks by signing five-time All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and LeMahieu, who has predominantly played second base over his career but is expected to fill a utility role in pinstripes.
The Yankees met with Machado last month but have not formally made an offer to him, according to reports. A team source told the Daily News last week that it's the Yankees understanding that Machado wants to be paid more than Giancarlo Stanton, which has scared off the Bombers. Stanton is about to enter the fifth year of a 13-year, $325 million contract ($25 million annual average).
Machado, 26, hit .297 with 37 home runs and 107 RBIs last season for the Orioles and Dodgers. Over his seven-year career, he has a .282 batting average, 175 homers and 513 RBIs.
