Phillies

Manny Machado’s Afternoon Visit With the Phillies Has Concluded

By Bob Wankel

Published: Dec 20th, 2018 · 5:17 PM EST

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After what was roughly a four-hour visit to Citizens Bank Park, Manny Machado’s afternoon free agent visit with the Phillies has concluded:

Manny Machado just left Citizens Bank Park. How was the visit? “Pretty awesome. I learned a lot about the organization.” Timetable to sign? “I don’t know about that. That’s my agent’s job. I’m just enjoying the ride.”

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) December 20, 2018

Manny Machado just left Citizens Bank Park after meeting with the Phillies

Hear from him on how it went and what he thinks of the team

On @NBCSPhilly 5pm and@NBCPhiladelphia 545pm pic.twitter.com/lXednxJO7C

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) December 20, 2018

Maybe it was at Machado’s request, but I kind of can’t believe they just let him walk right out the front door and into a swarm of Phillies fans and cameras.

Earlier in the day, the meeting between the Phillies and Machado got off to an inauspicious start that included the 26-year-old superstar:

• Being awkwardly greeted by a local construction worker

Unreal pic.twitter.com/ACxoIrNfKz

— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) December 20, 2018

• Being followed by reporters to the main entrance of the building–not the private players’ entrance

OPEN THE DOOR! pic.twitter.com/ZA7iuYRJ8Y

— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) December 20, 2018

• Being forced to briefly wait outside the door as cameras rolled

They’ve lost his wife pic.twitter.com/tl4fBjX12r

— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) December 20, 2018

Of course, what transpired once Machado finally got inside the building will ultimately dictate whether or not he’s in red pinstripes this upcoming season. From NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury:

Machado was to spend several hours visiting with Phillies officials. He and his wife, Yainee, were to have lunch in a suite overlooking the field and Machado’s image on Phanavision. A tour of the clubhouse and other ballpark facilities was planned. The Phillies’ welcoming party included Klentak, Kapler, managing partner John Middleton, club president Andy MacPhail, assistant general manager Ned Rice, hitting coach John Mallee and bench coach Rob Thomson. Surely, there would be a give and take, with Machado asking questions about the team’s direction and team officials asking about the controversial “Johnny Hustle” comments that he made in October.

According to Salisbury, Machado is scheduled to have dinner with Phillies representatives this evening before flying back to Miami tomorrow morning. Stay tuned.