Machado: Judge pitch to join Yanks 'blown out of proportion'
New York Yankees star Aaron Judge telling Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado that he'd look good in pinstripes was deemed inappropriate by Major League Baseball, but Machado doesn't see what all the fuss is about.
In fact, he said he's done the same thing to other players.
"I think it was just blown out of proportion," Machado told reporters Friday.
"I've told a lot of people they'd look good in black and orange as well, trying to get guys over here," he added. "It's just part of the game. You want to put the best team out there on your field, and if I'm a part of this team, I want to bring the best guys over here as much as I can. I want to get a ring as well."
Judge and Machado spoke before their teams played a spring exhibition Wednesday. During the conversation, Judge couldn't help but sneak in a quick pitch for Machado to join him and Giancarlo Stanton in the Bronx.
Machado is expected to be one of the top free agents in a potentially loaded class next offseason.
"We talked a little bit, and I just asked him how his offseason was, how everything was going," Judge said of the exchange. "I asked him how he liked (shortstop) and said you'd look pretty good in pinstripes, too."
Judge said Machado "kind of laughed it off and didn't really say much" in response to his pitch. However, MLB took notice, issuing a statement scolding Judge's actions.
"We have been in contact with the Yankees. They communicated to us that Mr. Judge's off the cuff comments were not appropriate and not authorized by the club," MLB wrote in its statement. "They will speak to him to make sure that this does not happen again."
Judge said Thursday that he learned his lesson after discussing the ordeal with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.
--Field Level Media
