Machado's Sense Of Entitlement Nonsense

I have worked very hard at my various positions throughout the years.  I have earned bonuses, raises and awards for my work.  I’m sure many of you have as well.  And you worked hard, but you didn’t expect to be paid what you are making now when you just started a new job, did you?  I mean I didn’t.  When I got hired at my most recent job, I shared my resume, my accomplishments and the organization took a chance on me.  After some time, I received an award for my innovation and this year, I earned a raise.  The key word of course here is earned.  What has Manny Machado earned that would propose this outrageous salary and more importantly, duration or years, he is demanding?  He’s 26-years-old, he came into the big leagues at 19.  Sure he has evolved into a terrific player, but $300 million over 10 years? Come on!

“A 23-year-old begins to decline at the same time that he learns how to play baseball better. The race between age and expertise is what determines whether a baseball player can have the best season of his career years after his body begins to fail,” reported ESPN in July 2018.  At 26, no one can predict what Machado’s career will be like five years from now let alone 10.  A study back in 2007 revealed that the average player has a career of 5.6 years.  So, he has surpassed the average, but how long can he go? No one can predict his worth or output 10 years from now.  And that’s the bottom line.

Machado has seven years experience in MLB, making his debut in 2012.  He was drafted after high school by the Baltimore Orioles.  He was named to the American League All Star team just one year later, 2013 and won two gold gloves in 2013 and 2015.  He’s made the All Star Team four times and started the game twice, including this past season at short stop.  With a career average of .282, he’s made his case for being signed to a contract with a decent payout.  But $300 million over 10 years? Not so much.  Why not sign for less if you want to be a Yankee?  How about four years, maybe five years?

According to Yahoo Sports, “The Yankees seemed like a perfect fit all along. Machado grew up wanting to play for them, he filled an immediate need at shortstop, he could be a part of a new Bronx dynasty by joining a team that won 100 games last season and is built for long-term success.
But money talks, and if the Yankees weren’t wanting to spend that much of it on Machado, they weren’t going to be an option.”

The Yankees longtime power pitcher and ace of the staff, CC Sabathia signed with the Yankees prior to the start of the 2009 season.  He signed a seven year contract after leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a Wild Card berth, the team’s first post season visit in 26-years.  And Sabathia lead the Yankees to a World Series victory in 2009, his first year with the team.

“The energy, what you get coming out the bullpen, the fans,” he said. “Everything it is it is to be pitching in New York, in the Bronx. It’s just so much fun. To be part of this organization is just a dream for me,” said Sabathia as reported by ESPN as he signed a contact extension at the end of the 2011 season.

He demonstrated early on his worth, his value to the team and he was rewarded with more years, more bonuses and trust.  Even when he fell on hard times, outing himself as an alcoholic, he came back and showed the Yankees what he was made of- passion and strength.  Manny has nothing on this kind of career.  Manny is not there yet and he may never get there.  But why not find out if you can make in New York, Manny and sign for less years and earn your keep?  Just like Sabathia did.  Take a chance, instead of just looking to be paid up front for nothing.

If Manny Machado does indeed want to be a New York Yankee, then why not accept an offer and do it.  He needs to get over his sense of entitlement, and make a decision that best reflects what he truly wants and if it’s money, then he can in fact go somewhere else.  But if he wants to make a bigger impact on the game, like Sabathia has, then he needs to pull back on his ego and sign.

–Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof