And with such market conditions, it presented a golden opportunity for the old fox, Dan Lozano, to jack up the price: the other party just listed so many statistics, essentially to convey one thing — pay more, or commit to a higher team status in the written contract.

As the current leader of the negotiation, Lozano decided to seize the opportunity and struck while the iron was hot, so he said to Cashman in front of him, "Brian, we've been old friends for many years, you've signed many players under me, and because of that, let me be candid with you — In this morning's negotiation, the Padres offered Manny a 10-year contract totaling 300 million, and promised that he'd be the face of the team's rebuild, with future reinforcements centered around him... To be honest, it's a deal hard to refuse."

But he continued, "But we all know what the New York Yankees represent, you are the champions of the past two years, and Manny himself is a fan of A-Rod, the alliance between the two is undoubtedly very attractive..." Only at this time did Lozano reveal his fangs, "Brian, 10 years, 300 million, as long as the Yankees can match this contract, we'll sign immediately..."

"Money has never been an issue." Just as Lozano wanted to continue, Machado raised his hand to interrupt his agent's talk; he lifted his head, his gaze locked firmly on Lin Guanglai in front of him, speaking one word at a time, "Now the question is, what can I get by joining the Yankees? What's my status on the team? And who calls the shots in the locker room?"

Machado's questions were simple, but upon hearing them, the faces of several people present displayed vastly different expressions:

Lozano's gaze turned somewhat terrified, afraid that his immature client might say something irreparable; Cashman remained silent, glancing with peripheral vision towards Lin Guanglai not far beside him; Martinli slightly shook his head, such a thorny issue is also somewhat troublesome for a coach like him.

As for Lin Guanglai, who initially just wanted to be a recruiting mascot, upon hearing this series of questions, he merely raised an eyebrow gently.

As the player's representative, Lin Guanglai did not immediately answer Machado's question, but countered with a question, "Manny, why did you come to today's negotiation, why did you entertain the thought of joining the Yankees?

You should know, with your explosive temperament, being constantly under the spotlight of the New York media would bring pressures incomparable to a small market like San Diego — there you can get a higher salary than the Yankees, fans treat you as a savior, and even if you lose games, no one blames you;

But at the Yankees, even a tiny defensive error could make you the target of teammates, the media, and fans until you prove yourself again, you would be the object of everyone's criticism."

Lin Guanglai's voice was slow and gentle, yet Machado only felt that his heart at that moment was like an onion being peeled layer by layer by Lin Guanglai:

"In the end, you accepted our negotiation invitation because you want to win, right?" Lin Guanglai sharply pointed out Machado's most genuine thought and then flashed his signature smile at him, "And it just so happens that in terms of how to win, I, and the New York Yankees, have ample experience."

"I think you should know what the media perceives you as: a bad boy, selfish, only caring about stats, devoid of sportsmanship... But you should also know there's a way to shut them all up — a championship!

With a championship, your character issues become described as tough by them, and so-called selfishness becomes part of a superstar's demeanor — frankly, isn't that what competitive sports is? The winner takes it all, only the victor has the voice.

You've been with the Orioles for nearly 7 years, only played in the playoffs twice, and the best result was a first-round exit — logically, you should understand how it feels to lose night after night, watch teammates come and go, and see the management never willing to spend money to retain good players but being helpless; I bear no malice towards the Padres, but in some aspects, they are even less than the Orioles.

Maybe you really can grow with this team, then in some season, rely on a breakout to reach the later stages of the competition, garnering everyone's praise, but you can never win a championship this way;

But at the Yankees, you fight for the World Series Championship every season, every year you can go head-to-head in October, maybe even in November, and then parade with the trophy, loudly telling everyone, 'I, Manny Machado, am one hell of a world champion', making them all shut up — isn't such a prospect more interesting, and more challenging, than going to San Diego?"

Although Lin Guanglai didn't have a private friendship with Manny Machado, he could more or less understand his feelings: beneath Machado's prickly exterior actually hides a soul yearning for recognition and desiring to prove he is worthy of greatness.

Lin Guanglai's remarks indeed swayed Machado, who sitting on the sofa, even began to imagine the scene: a night in October at Yankee Stadium, 50,000 viewers, World Series, a clutch at-bat... Just imagining such a scene was enough to make his blood surge.

Seeing him like this, Cashman also seized the moment, "Manny, imagine this: you're at third base, Gregor at second, Gary at first, Didi at shortstop... Behind you is Lin and Judge, in front of you is Brantley — which team dares to pitch four balls against you? Which team has enough pitching depth to deal with such a lineup?"

"As for the locker room position you want..." Lin Guanglai pondered for a moment and continued, "In the New York Yankees, respect never comes from seniority, but by how much contribution you can make for this team — as long as you give your all for the team, we all naturally consider you one of our own and give you the respect you want and deserve."

"If you want to become a pillar of this team, the approach is simple: lead the team to the championship with one home run after another as I have." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"I don't want you to become an innocuous good boy, that's not your style; but if you choose to join the Yankees, I hope you channel your temper in the right direction — the edge of anger should be directed at rivals like the Red Sox, you can fully unleash your emotions at Fenway Park... At the New York Yankees, you can be arrogant, but the premise is you must win!"

"If one day..." Saying this, Lin Guanglai squinted his eyes, and his expression became stern, "if one day you surpass me in overall performance, then the mantle of team leader naturally can be yours."

But soon, he added, "Of course, in my opinion, that day will never come."

Silence, followed by silence, and more silence — a long stretch of silence enveloped the meeting room, the rest of those present just watching the two young men engaging in a continuous verbal exchange, ultimately witnessing Machado's concession.

Slumped on the sofa, Machado stared blankly at the ceiling for a long moment; finally, he made a decision that could alter the trajectory of his entire career:

"Dan, I have no issues here... the specific contract, I'll leave it to you to negotiate."

"Perhaps, I mean maybe, from the West Coast to the East Coast, from Los Angeles to New York, it's actually a good choice, don't you think?"

Upon hearing this, the members of the Yankees negotiation team exchanged smiles, feeling relieved.

"Trust me, Manny — you've definitely made the right decision." These were Lin Guanglai's final words to Machado during today's negotiation.