Fans aren’t the only ones glad the Manny Machado sweepstakes are over.
So, too, is the White Sox shortstop whose job Machado may have taken had he picked Chicago. Asked if he was relieved to have the saga over with, Tim Anderson was blunt.
“F–k yeah, maybe you all [the media] can stop asking me now,” Anderson said Wednesday, the day after Machado agreed to a 10-year, $300 million deal with the Padres.
Anderson was also asked if Machado had “missed the boat” by not signing with the White Sox.
“He might have,” Anderson said. “But we’re going to keep rolling. You know, you can ride with us or don’t. … We couldn’t care less who’s on the boat with us. We know who all is on the boat with us and we know which way we’re going to sail.”
The White Sox’s deal with Machado could have reached up to $350 million, according to The Athletic, based on options and incentives, but their base offer was for eight years and $250 million.
White Sox executive vice president Kenny Williams didn’t hide his surprise Tuesday about getting turned down.
“I’m wearing my shades, so you can’t see the shock in my eyes,” Williams said.
But Anderson is ready to move on without Machado.
“We’re going to be South Side regardless,” said Anderson, who hit .240 with 20 home runs last season.
“Nobody’s decision determines what we’ve got going on in this locker room. I feel we have a great group of guys here. We’re going to do something special. The White Sox are moving in the right direction.”