Manny Machado: Why His Market Value is Limited

If the 2018 postseason was a job interview, then there is no way in hell Manny Machado receives market value for his talents.

Entering 2018, teams were working hand over fist to get themselves below the luxury tax threshold. Why? Because the 2018 free agent market was going to be berserk. Two of the hottest young superstars in game, Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, were going to be up for grabs.

This was supposed to be the year 2000 on steroids, the year Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez received well over $400MM combined.

Manny Machado, however, has done himself no favors in the way he behaved himself in the span of just 10 games during the 2018 MLB Postseason. As a result, the market for the talented superstar is “limited,” according to Jon Heyman.

It all started in game 3 of the 2018 ALCS against the Milwaukee Brewers. With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 10th, Manny Machado hit a grounder to Orlando Arcia. Then, this happened:

At this point, the Brewers had been leading the series 2-1 and a loss would most certainly make Milwaukee the overwhelming favorites to win the series. Machado’s antics felt like those of a selfish sore loser.

Take one point off of Machado’s market value for clipping Jesus Aguilar.

Then, after the Brewers faithful made a habit of reigning boo’s on Machado, Manny loses another point on his market value for taunting Milwaukee by grabbing his crotch after safely reaching first on a bunt.

But wait, there’s more.

Cut to game three of the World Series. The score is 1-0 in favor of the Dodgers in a series where Los Angeles is trailing Boston two games to none. Manny Machado smacks a fly ball to left off of Joe Kelly. What happens next results in another point off of Machado’s market value.

It get’s worse. Machado then decides to sit down for an interview with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic  to address his lack of hustle. In an almost unbelievable strike of stupidity, Machado proceeds to tell Rosenthal the following:

“Obviously I’m not going to change, I’m not the type of player that’s going to be ‘Johnny Hustle,’ and run down the line and slide to first base and … you know, whatever can happen. That’s just not my personality, that’s not my cup of tea, that’s not who I am.”

In many ways, you have to admire Machado’s honesty. You also have to wonder if he knows that the world is watching him. I mean, Literally watching him.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

For his comments, Machado loses yet another point on his market value.

Finally, Machado solidified his willingness to play villain when he clipped Steven Pearce in the World Series. This would be the second time Machado clips a first basemen’s ankles running to first base in 10 games, which makes you wonder: is it just that Machado doesn’t know how to run to first?

This makes the fifth point removed from Machado’s market value. Most surprisingly is that it all happened in the span of 10 games in October.

This has left many wondering if they’re better off waiting another season for another superstar infielder, Nolan Arenado.

Can you think of another more atrocious job interview for a player in the history of the sport?