Manny Machado on the Giants?
There's a microscopic chance that the free agent signs with the Giants, but broadcaster Mike Krukow would like to see it happen.
"As far as his makeup, stepping on guys going down the first base line, I think that's bush [league]," Krukow said on KNBR 680 Friday. "Does he run everything out? And then he addresses the fact that he doesn't run out ground balls, and to me, that's just stupid. Despite all that, I'd love to see him in a Giants uniform. I think every team says the same thing. He is a catalyst player and he's 26 [years old.]"
With his free agency looming, Machado brought the wrong kind of attention to himself during the postseason with the Dodgers. In one instance, he appeared not to hustle to first base. In another incident, he stepped on the foot of Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar.
Aside from all that, Krukow has been impressed with Machado.
"I think his baseball skills are off the charts,' Krukow said. "He can do things phyiscally that other people can't do."
Machado's baseball skills aren't the only thing that has impressed Krukow.
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"I think he's smart," Krukow said.
The supposed character issues that come with Machado don't seem to bother Krukow at all.
"I wouldn't even worry about it," Krukow said. "If he got in the right clubhouse, to me, it's not even an issue as to whether he's a positive or a negative. I think he's a positive, so I think he's a guy worth investing in."
Machado is seeking a mega contract, the kind of contract Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi doesn't give out to free agents. At the moment, the three known pursuers of Machado are the White Sox, Yankees and Phillies. Chicago has reportedly presented a formal offer to Machado.
Another thing standing in the way of Machado coming to the Giants? They have shortstop Brandon Crawford and third baseman Evan Longoria signed for the next several years. Crawford is a cornerstone player for the Giants, so he isn't going anywhere. Longoria is aging and his production is dipping, so he'd be tough to move.
Sorry, Kruk, but we don't think Machado is coming to San Francisco. But we made a snazzy jersey swap for you to dream about what Machado looks like in a Giants uniform.
