The overarching question to Manny Machado is simple: Why?
It just applies to so many situations this October.
Why not run hard on a groundball in a tie game during a National League Championship Series that your Los Angeles Dodgers trailed one game to none? Why, then, slide questionably into second base, making fans and opponents wonder about your intent?
And more than all that: Why in the world kick Milwaukee first baseman Jesus Aguilar as you crossed the bag in the 10th inning of Tuesday night’s Game 4, which eventually ended in the Dodgers’ victory that evened the series?
“I was trying to get over him and hit his foot,” Machado told reporters afterward. “If that’s dirty, that’s dirty.”
Let’s parse the particulars of the play for a minute. Watch the replay. Aguilar’s right foot was on the edge of the bag as he prepared to take the throw. Machado did not “try” to lift his left foot over Aguilar’s foot. He didn’t try at all. Rather, he looked down, and dragged his foot through Aguilar’s leg. Hard.
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If that’s dirty, that’s dirty. And it’s dirty.
The screed by Milwaukee outfielder Christian Yelich that followed — “One time is an accident. Repeated over and over and over again, it’s a dirty play. It’s a dirty play by a dirty player.” — was warranted and has weight, because Yelich is not only a contemporary of Machado’s, but is the likely National League MVP, a player with growing standing in the game.
But back to the original question: Why would a player of Machado’s capability and stature create these situations?
Think of what Machado has at stake. He joins Bryce Harper as the preeminent free agents of this offseason, and either or both could break the record for largest total value of a baseball contract (Giancarlo Stanton’s $325 million) before next spring training. Machado is just 26 — the age Harper turned Tuesday — and has the bulk of what could be a Hall of Fame career ahead of him.
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Kicking Aguilar in the fourth game of the NLCS is not going to determine whether Machado gets $300 million or not. Neither is failing to run out a grounder earlier in the series. Neither is throwing his spikes up at second base.
But these are little pin pricks, aren’t they? And they add up to something. Consider a couple of things about the upcoming offseason and the market around Machado and Harper — who are intertwined in their free agency, because not everyone can afford either of them, so they likely will share some suitors.
At the end of the regular season, Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo, in explaining why his team would like to retain Harper, characterized the evaluation this way: “With these type of deals, you’re not betting on the baseball player. You’re betting on the person.”
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Rizzo used Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer, owner of the past two National League Cy Young awards, as an example. Washington signed Scherzer to a seven-year, $210-million deal because of his stuff, sure. But they also knew about Scherzer’s commitment to preparation, his effort each time he takes the mound, and his influence in the clubhouse.
What if the events of the past week make one interested front office look at Machado and say, “Wait a second. Who would we be getting here?” Might questions about on-field comportment lead to inquiries about how he handles himself in the clubhouse? When you’re potentially spending $300 million of an owner’s money, you need to be able to go to the owner and say confidently, “We know who we’re getting, and you’ll be thrilled.”
About the owners: Yes, Machado (and Harper) will be available to any of the 30 teams once free agency arrives shortly after the close of the World Series. But that doesn’t mean 30 teams will drive the bidding.
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A reasonable assessment of potential candidates for Machado’s services: the Dodgers, who traded for him with Baltimore midseason and for whom money is no issue (but will also get regular shortstop Corey Seager back from injury next year); the Phillies, who have been primed to spend this offseason; the Yankees, who just lost starting shortstop Didi Gregorius to Tommy John surgery; the Cubs, who have questions at shortstop following Addison Russell’s suspension for domestic violence; and maybe the Giants, who need to inject their roster with youth and athleticism and could play Machado at third, where he spent most of his career with the Orioles.
Add on another team or two. But the point is this: Machado isn’t a potential fit, financially or personnel-wise, for even 10 teams. And if one of the owners whose club is in position with its ledgers and its roster to sign Machado watched the 10th inning Tuesday night, saw Machado kick Aguilar, and says to his general manager, “Who needs this?”, well, then, that’s one fewer club that might drive up the bidding.
The National League Championship Series is tied at two games apiece. There’s a reasonable chance Machado, who is 8 for his last 22 over five games, will have an impact on who wins it.
But even if he does, won’t the biggest question about him coming out of the series be: Why the heck, Manny, do you do the unnecessary stuff you do?
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